The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity have recently released new figures which demonstrates the impact the covid-19 pandemic has had on the sport and leisure sector within the last year.

The latest report released indicates a shortage in staff across the sector throughout the UK, with a particular lack in swimming instructors, lifeguards and fitness instructors. However the need for staff has not been the issue, in fact in November 2021 alone, 33,536 vacancies were advertised throughout the country.

At Active Suffolk, we are proud of the partnership we have with CIMSPA and we are working to continually monitor the insight to ensure we are doing all that we can to support and develop our local workforce. We have been quick to react to earlier reports following the pandemic where we have collaborated with a number of vital partners and business organisations to develop a sector skills strategy.

Insight and consultation with partners has resulted in the development of headline recommendations for the next five years which will enable a workforce that is customer centric, inclusive and equipped with the right skills to initiate meaningful behaviour change and realise wider health and socio-economic benefits.

The Suffolk Sport & Physical Activity Sector Skills Strategy will enable the development of the workforce and address the key skills gaps which have widened during the Covid Pandemic. This will ensure the sector develops the skills and competencies required to be flexible, competent, and fit for purpose.

You can read more about this work at www.activesuffolk.org/skills-strategy

To view the latest insights from CIMSPA see below