The UK's sports and play facility construction industry has begun a new initiative with SkillsActive, (the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure, Learning and Well-being), to identify the size, scope and demographics of the industry as a whole.
The project, which is being undertaken jointly with The Sports and Play Foundation, and is fully supported by The Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA), will measure and analyse the industry's specialist workforce and its training needs, and provide the basis for the industry's future educational programme.
The Sports and Play Foundation is a registered charity, created by SAPCA to develop and promote education and training for the industry. SAPCA's 230 members are specialists in the design, construction and maintenance of sports and play facilities across the UK. SAPCA wholeheartedly supports training and education for the industry's workforce, in co-operation with SkillsActive.
The data collection for the initiative has now started and will take place over the autumn, utilising an on-line survey, focus groups, and one-to-one meetings with industry professionals operating within the specialist sport and play construction sector. All those involved in the sector are now invited to take part in the initiative by completing the on-line survey.
SkillsActive Chief Executive Ian Taylor said: "We urge all sports and play construction industry professionals to get involved in this initiative. The greater the quantity and quality of data that we are able to collect at this stage, the more valuable the long-term outcome will be for the industry as a whole. SkillsActive is thrilled to be a part of this initiative and will work hard to produce a comprehensive training and development programme for SAPCA and the industry sector as a whole."
Once all data has been collected it will be analysed by SkillsActive and a workforce map produced. The second phase of the initiative will involve building a plan for the future learning and development of all members of the sector. SkillsActive and The Sports and Play Foundation will present recommendations for the future to SAPCA's Board members in December 2013.
Peter Grimshaw, Chairman of The Sports and Play Foundation commented: "The Sports and Play Foundation is passionate about raising the quality of training for our industry's workforce. To do this effectively we need to understand the actual, as opposed to perceived, training needs within sports and play construction, across all levels of site operatives and management.
"Only then can we create, implement and promote a comprehensive training programme. Training is vital to ensure that sports and play construction is properly recognised as a separate, specialist activity, clearly differentiated from the general construction industry. We are delighted to be working with SkillsActive on the development of a national training plan that will benefit the whole industry for years to come."
SAPCA Chairman Eric Page added: "SAPCA has worked hard to raise standards in a variety of ways, from strict criteria for membership through to the creation of industry Codes of Practice for the design and construction of facilities. We strongly believe that education and training is central to the continued improvement of sports and play facilities and the long-term success of the industry. A thriving industry with a highly-skilled workforce is also essential for the future success of British sport, post London 2012, helping to ensure that high quality sports and play facilities are available for all levels of use, from grassroots through to elite standards of competition and training."
