The UK sports and play facility construction industry has launched a new initiative with SkillsActive – the Sector Skills Council for active leisure, learning and wellbeing – which will 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 training needs, providing 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 is the recognised trade association, whose 230 members are specialists in the design, construction and maintenance of sports and play facilities across the UK. SAPCA’s role is to raise standards throughout the industry, in order to provide the high quality facilities needed at all levels of sport, physical activity, recreation and play. SAPCA wholeheartedly supports training and education for the industry’s workforce, in co-operation with SkillsActive.

The data collection for this initiative will take place over the coming months, utilising an online survey, focus groups, and one-to-one meetings with SAPCA members and other industry professionals operating within the specialist sport and play construction sector.

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.”

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 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 September 2013.

Peter Grimshaw, chair of the Sports and Play Foundation, said: “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 recognised as a separate, specialist activity, clearly differentiated from the general construction industry.”

SAPCA chair, Eric Page, added: “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.”