Sport England launches Professional Workforce Strategy

Sport England’s vision of the new strategy is to work across the sport and physical activity sector to build ‘A skilled, motivated and valued workforce to inspire an active nation.’ By strengthening the workforce Sport England aspires to ensure that people who are active, or want to be active, have the best possible experience.

The strategy proposes a shift in emphasis to place a deep understanding of the people who do sport and physical activity at the heart of workforce development.

The two main objectives in the newly published plan are:

1. Support the workforce to become more customer focused
2. Develop the workforce so that it is recognised as professional

Sport England has outlined a series of strategic approaches and key actions that will help achieve these objectives. This includes diversity and inclusion of the workforce and using insight to give a deeper understanding of the impact the workforce has the people it’s trying to engage. Some of the key actions include:

• Publish a sector-wide workforce insight report
• £1 million investment in leadership and organisational development
• Launch a new Workforce Diversity Fund
• Produce a sector-wide diversity and inclusion action plan
• Establish and implement a new framework of professional standards
• Encourage employers to provide more work-based learning opportunities and apprenticeships

Head of Coaching at Sport England, Stuart Armstrong said:

"The Government’s strategy for sport, Sporting Future, has set out a challenge to those that work in sport and physical activity to be able to better meet the needs of a broader range of participants. Working in an Active Nation has been created following widespread consultation with all parts of the industry, and it represents our sector’s response to this challenge.

"We aim to work across our sector to tackle challenges in leadership and culture, improve the diversity of our workforce and establish enhanced employment opportunities to recruit new talent and retain the best employees."

The lack of diversity in sport and physical activity sector remains a challenge. Activity Alliance welcomes Sport England’s commitment to tackle under-representation of disabled people in the workforce at all levels. We look forward to working with Sport England, our members and other key partners to engage with employers and support more disabled people to work in the sporting sector.   

The Professional Workforce Strategy, Working in an Active Nation, is available to read on Sport England’s website.

Photo credit: LimbPower