The plan aims to empower a thriving sport and physical activity sector in the North of Tyne region through collaboration and innovation.
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 North of Tyne.
Developed by the North of Tyne Local Skills Accountability Board, the plan covers Newcastle-upon-Tyne metropolitan borough, North Tyneside metropolitan borough, and Northumberland non-metropolitan county, and identifies key skills improvements, workforce challenges and priorities for the sport and physical activity sector in these areas.
The North of Tyne boasts a variety of industries due to its coastal geographical makeup – a strong industrial hub in Newcastle and North Tyneside alongside the rural and tourist area of Northumberland. The area is also facing economic challenges including skills shortages, an ageing workforce, and a struggle to recruit and retain workers in its rural areas.
CIMSPA have embedded a team of workforce development managers across the country, including in the North of Tyne, to work locally and encourage collaboration with key local organisations to understand priorities within the area.
The local skills plan sets out a framework to align relevant skills provision with the sector’s needs, so that the local sport and physical activity workforce will be equipped with the skills needed to improve resilience in a constantly changing environment.
The North of Tyne local skills plan is bespoke to the area, with three headline recommendations to help tackle the local challenges:
- Create and promote opportunities for sport and physical activity organisations and professionals across the region to meet, learn and share best practices
- Use local workforce data to tackle recruitment and retention challenges, and promote routes into in-demand sector roles
- Use an informed approach to signpost to relevant, high-quality learning and development opportunities for both career explorers and existing sector professionals
Cherelle Mitchell, Workforce Development Manager for North of Tyne at CIMSPA said:
“It has been a real privilege to see partners across North of Tyne come together with a shared purpose to strengthen our workforce, elevate professional standards, and ensure community health and wellbeing remain at the heart of what we do.
“This plan shows the power of true collaboration, where education, employers, and local leaders work collectively to build a skilled, confident workforce equipped to meet the region’s needs now and in the future.”
Barry Cliffe, Regional People Business Partner at GLL said:
“The North of Tyne skills plan is a forward-thinking strategy that aligns training and education with the real needs of employers. By actively shaping the skills landscape, we’re not only improving access to talent today – we’re investing in a future workforce that is resilient, skilled and ready to grow.
“This plan strengthens our recruitment pipeline, supports staff retention through better career pathways, and ensures our region remains competitive and inclusive.”
Rachel Miller, Managing Director at Smile Through Sport said:
“The North of Tyne local skills plan is an invaluable tool for our region and for our charity. Over the next 10 years we anticipate recruiting for more staff twice a year, and knowing we have been able to work in partnership with education providers to ensure the workforce have the skills and qualifications we need is something we are extremely grateful for.
“This investment in the future workforce across the North of Tyne will help us to strengthen our charity with high quality staff.”
Jonathan Rees, Director of Health, Science and Welfare at Newcastle College said:
“The North of Tyne local skills plan is crucial for education providers. The work of the board will showcase current and future skills needs, allowing education providers to review the curriculum offer, and ensure graduates have the necessary skills, qualifications and behaviours to meet the needs of local and regional employers.