Introducing our new series of video interviews: Local Links
In a new series of video interviews called Local Links, we’ll explore work taking place across the UK to support local skills development in the sport and physical activity sector.
Over the last year, as part of a Sport England funded project, CIMSPA has been developing partnerships between employers, education providers, local authorities, health commissioners, employment support agencies, active partnerships and community groups, to work collaborative to address skills gaps, economic growth objectives, and health and wellbeing priorities, on a local level.
This place-based work and the creation of Local Skills Accountability Boards (LSABs) was highlighted in the DCMS Get Active strategy published last year and is designed to maximised opportunities presented by the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022.
With the new Government, making the development of localised skills strategies a core priority as part of its five missions, we’ve been speaking to CIMSPA Skills Hub Managers who are leading this work for the sector in different parts of the UK.
We start with Andy Gray, Skills Hub Manager for North East England and Cumbria, and Simon Barnes, Skills Hub Manager for South West England.
Andy and Simon are speaking to Annette Wade-Clarke, Director of Marketing and Communications about the make-up of the sector in their areas, and the differences and similarities in the challenges for employers at opposite ends of the country.
They share how they are working with education providers on the development of learning programmes to meet employer needs, the importance of the connection with healthcare in addressing pressures on the NHS, how challenges in participation and skills development are being addressed through collaboration, plus the correct way to pronounce ‘scone’!