Sport Sector Skills Update

In December 2015 Black Country Consortium Limited contracted Shared Intelligence to develop a sector skills action plan for the sport and physical activity sector.

The Sector Skills Action Plan aims to:

• Identify both the supply and demand of skills needed for Sport and Physical Activity
• Determine the emerging skill gaps and shortages which need to be prioritised
• Determine the value and impact sport and physical activity has to non-sport employers.

Consultation for the Black Country Sector Skills Action Plan has been wide ranging and varied, with very positive feedback from consultees, and national stakeholders. The final report and proposed skills plan will be tested with small focus groups before being presented to the BeActive partnership board on 23rd March 2016. The report will be available in a variety of formats and BCC Ltd will be holding a stakeholder event to share the findings and outline the implementation plan for the Skills Plan locally. 

There are a series of key recommendations based on the findings of the consultation, which feature the emerging headlines:

1. Skill shortage of Non-Technical skills e.g. Softer Skills is particularly prevalent across the sport and physical activity sector within all roles. 
2. The skill shortage is exaggerated by lack of definition and current provision.
3. Employers have to provide the greatest level of training post-employment within this area. 

The Sector Skills steering group in its current format is being revised. One of the initial recommendations is to establish a forum bringing together employers, providers and development agencies to implement the action plan recommendations. This group will also serve as the revised governance group for the work – replacing the existing governance group. BCC Ltd will be seeking nominations for this group in due course.

If you have any queries or questions regarding this report please contact Ian Carey on 01384 471137 or ian_carey@blackcountryconsortium.co.uk