The plan aims to build a robust, skilled workforce in the local sport and physical activity sector, which ultimately enhances the wellbeing of local 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 Devon.
Developed by the Devon Local Skills Accountability Board (LSAB), the plan identifies key skills improvements, workforce challenges and priorities for local sport and physical activity. The aim is to develop a high quality, fit-for-purpose local sport and physical activity workforce that will help Devon thrive.
Leisure services are popular amongst workers and consumers in the Southwest region; 2,000 people are employed in Devon’s leisure services alone, with a customer footfall of 4.68 million in 2022. With an ageing population and the idea that physical activity can increase quality of life, continuing to make this industry accessible is a significant challenge.
Embedding a team of Skills Hub Managers into regions across the country, CIMSPA have been collaborating with key local organisations to establish Local Skills Accountability Boards, with the main outcome being to understand priorities within that specific area.
Devon has a diverse geographical make up; the area contains three main urban centres (Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay), as well as a significant proportion of residents living in rural areas. This creates bespoke challenges for the sector’s current and future workforce, such as accessibility to training and employment opportunities.
With each area having a bespoke plan that has been created by the local workforce and relevant organisations, each local skills plan for sport and physical activity aims to tackle the challenges that are impacting the sector in the area. For Devon, the plan includes five main recommendations:
- Develop education partnerships to create a pipeline of skilled candidates
- Enhance training and development opportunities by improving quality and accessibility
- Strengthen support networks and provide a collaborative environment for all sector employees and employers
- Increase sector workforce retention by improving career progression transparency
- Align with the health sector and support preventative care
Simon Barnes, CIMSPA Skills Hub Manager for Devon said:
“I’m excited to see the Devon Local Skills Plan come to life. It’s been a real privilege to work alongside so many passionate people from across multiple sectors over the past two years, shaping something that I believe will make a real and lasting difference to our sector — not just here in Devon, but potentially have impact beyond Devon.”
Rhys Jones, Chair of the Local Skills Accountability Board and Chief Executive Officer at Plymouth Active said:
“This skills plan is the result of over 12 months’ work between local employers and education providers that has Devon at the centre of its thoughts. The benefits of having a laser focused plan to directly address skills gaps and improvements will be felt across the county.
“I’m delighted to have been able to contribute and be part of a brilliant team of open thinking professionals.”
Matt Wright, Local Skills Accountability Board member and Chief Operating Officer of LED Leisure said:
“It’s a privilege to have contributed towards the local skills plan for Devon. This project represents an exciting opportunity to shape the future of our sector by prioritising professional development and workforce alignment with strategic goals.
“The plan is designed to bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring that incoming professionals possess the skills and qualifications requried to meet industry needs, which will reinforce a culture of lifelong learning, offering valuable professional development opportunities to help retain and empower current employees.
Dr Phil Brown, Vice-Chair of the Local Skills Accountability Board and Associate Dean (School of Sport, Business and Media) at Plymouth Marjon University said:
“As a proud Higher Education partner for CIMSPA, Marjon University is committed to equipping the next generation of sport and physical activity professionals with the skills and knowledge that align with industry standards.”
“Through our collaboration in the local skills plan, we’re not only bridging the gap between education and industry but also helping to create industry-ready graduates who can contribute meaningfully to the sector.
“Together, we’re working to shape a future where our graduates are prepared to meet the evolving needs of the sport and physical activity workforce, and we will continue to collaborate to address the skills needs of those already working in the industry.”
To help deliver the recommendations made in the plan, four ‘local skills forums’ have been created, which enables the Board to focus on region-specific challenges that reflect the unique needs of each area.
Access the Sport and Physical Activity Local Skills Plan for Devon:
