Workforce Development

Millions of people work in the sport and physical activity sector, either paid or unpaid in the UK. The sector is made up of volunteers, coaches, and the professional workforce e.g., paid professionals who are employed or self-employed basis. 

In March 2023 Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP) launched its Sport & Physical Activity Sector Skills Strategy. The aim of the new strategy is to build skills and confidence in the current and future workforce so that they are better equipped to support residents of Hertfordshire to be physically active.  

HSP will also continue to broaden the sport and physical activity workforce, by reaching out to other workforce sectors such as health and social care. The Partnership will work to develop a greater understanding of workforce development issues across our sector, and we will also endeavour to help partners devote suitable resources and energy to embed workforce development in their activity. 

 

Working in an Active Nation 

The government's Sporting Future (hyperlink needed here) strategy identifies areas for the development of the professional workforce in sport and physical activity. These include making our industry an attractive career option for the brightest and most able individuals, giving people access to open recruitment processes and having clear career pathways and opportunities to develop and progress throughout their working lives. 

 

What does Workforce Development mean to us? 

• A ‘Fit for Purpose’ workforce, through appropriate recruitment, selection, retention, and upskilling systems and processes. 

• A workforce that is representative of Hertfordshire's diversity and make-up of its local communities. 

• Workforce development is a people-first approach to upskilling workers for long-term success. 

• In practice, workforce development means offering your employees training, development opportunities, and continuing education programs to maximise their job success and career pathway. 

• Workforce development keeps your colleagues prepared for the future, equipped to handle further technological changes or skill demands. 

• Job training vs. workforce development. Job training is about competency; workforce development is about flexibility.