The plan aims to create a skilled and diverse local sport and physical activity workforce that drives growth and improves the health and wellbeing of West of England communities.
Alongside local employers, education providers, local authorities, the health sector and employability-focused organisations, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) have implemented a local skills plan for the sport and physical activity workforce in the West of England.
Developed by the West of England Local Skills Accountability Board, the plan covers Bath and North-East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, and identifies key skills improvements, workforce challenges and priorities for the sport and physical activity sector in these areas.
Home to over one million people with a vibrant culture that values active living, the West of England is also tackling significant health and economic disparities; life expectancy is on average 9 years lower in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived. While general economic activity is thriving, there is still an underlying challenge of high-deprivation areas facing higher rates of unemployment compared to the regional average.
Sport England estimates that the sector contributes over £2 billion in social value for the West of England. To capitalise on this, local organisations have come together to create a robust plan that outlines the main priorities to meet today’s demands, but also future proofs the sport and physical activity sector to continue meeting local community needs.
CIMSPA have embedded a team of Workforce Development Managers across the country to collaborate with key local organisations to establish local skills accountability boards, in order to understand priorities within that specific area.
The local skills plan sets out framework to align relevant skills provision with the sector’s needs, so that local sport and physical activity workforce will be equipped with the skills needed to sustain success in an everchanging landscape.
The West of England local skills plan is bespoke to the area, with four recommendations outlined:
- Establish post-16 education pathways that forge strong relationships with the sector
- Develop clear and meaningful career pathways that support recruitment and progression
- Create a workforce that is reflective of our diverse population and positively impacts the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve
- Share best practices and provide opportunities for the existing sport and physical activity workforce to support long-term sustainability and retention
Toby Hodder, CIMSPA Workforce Development Manager for the West of England said:
“We have a committed group of organisations working together to diversify and upskill the workforce in a bid to maximise the benefits of physical activity across the region.
“I’m excited to see how this plan will not only strengthen the local sport and physical activity sector, but to also contribute to key regional priorities across the West of England.”
Alex Gaiger, Chair of the West of England Local Skills Accountability Board and Executive Director of Curriculum and Quality at SGS College said:
“This plan represents a crucial step in strengthening our region’s sport and physical activity workforce.
“By aligning skills with local needs, we can drive lasting change across the West of England – improving health, supporting economic growth, and widening opportunities for all communities.”
Sarah Casselden, Strategic Lead – Networks and Workforce at Wesport said:
“As the local Active Partnership, it has been great to be part of the development of the local skills plan for the West of England. The development of the plan already shows the appetite to collaborate in order to help address recruitment, retention and skills gap challenges within the sector.
“The implementation of the plan will support the existing sport and physical activity workforce as well as creating pathways for those wishing to enter the sector. Ensuring a long term fit for purpose workforce, which will in turn help to improve activity and health levels across the West of England.”
Hannah Davies-Coward, Head of Partnerships at the Bristol Sport Foundation said:
“I’m really proud to see our West of England skills plan being brought to life to benefit our current and future workforce.
“I believe the plan will support our organisation, by strengthening our staff recruitment and retention, and putting us in a better place to inspire even more people to be active and healthy.
“We look forward to creating a more diverse workforce that’s representative of the local communities we serve. Uniting with other employers, education providers and stakeholders, we can widen our reach, pool resources and create a lasting legacy.”
Access the Sport and Physical Activity Local Skills Plan for the West of England below.
