Skills Training Critical To Continue Sport’s Positive Contribution To UK Economy

Skills Training Critical To Continue Sport’s Positive Contribution To UK Economy

     11 Aug 13

“We’re pleased the Sport England report finds that sport is an important part of the national economy, within the top 15 industry sectors in England, and that sport and sport-related activity is estimated to support more than 440,000 full-time equivalent jobs[1],” said Ian Taylor, CEO of SkillsActive.

However, he warned that ensuring that such results are repeated is critically dependent on training sports staff to develop appropriate skills at all levels, and within all sports-related activities.

“As a licensed Sector Skills Council, we know there is a direct correlation between training and a sector’s growth and prosperity,” Ian continued. “For every pound invested in training, there is a twenty pound resultant impact on productivity. We have worked with Sport England over the last two years to secure an extra £21m into National Governing Bodies of Sport for learning and development.”

SkillsActive is a Sport England ‘National Partner for Workforce’, one of only five national partnerships. The funding into SkillsActive complements the investment Sport England has announced for 46 sports over the next four years to keep the inspiration of London 2012 alive.

Ian continued, “Providing staff with the right skills and access to training is critical for the sports sector’s continued professionalism and growth. We encourage young people to explore the career path opportunities available in the sports sector. There are many sport courses and qualifications, including sport apprenticeships, which cover a diverse range of sports related jobs.”

Government licensed SkillsActive works in partnership with the sports and physical activity sectors to ensure that sport courses, qualifications and apprenticeships are based on national occupational standards and a national qualifications framework that reflects the real needs of sport employers.

Ian concluded, “SkillsActive can help sports bodies fill any existing skills gaps of those already working in the sports sector, and to help train, upskill and prepare the next generation of the sporting workforce. By doing so, we can support sport’s contribution to the growth of the UK economy, while also building upon the legacy of the London Olympics 2012.”