Column: CIMSPA

ReTrain to ReTain

A new skills, funding and support programme will help up to 50,000 professionals and volunteers working in sport and physical activity, as Tara Dillon, CEO of CIMSPA explains.

CEO CIMSPA

It’s been an incredibly challenging time for the sports and physical activity sector, particularly for its workforce. The lockdowns have seen many people leave the sector, which has left operators with staff shortages.

This is why CIMSPA launched the ReTrain to ReTain programme. The job retention scheme will support up to 50,000 sport and physical activity professionals and volunteers in England who have had to find work outside the sector during the pandemic. The programme provides training, resources and tools to help people return to work and remain in the sector.

Launched in November 2021, thousands of fitness professionals, group exercise instructors, sports coaches and volunteers have already signed up to scheme, which is part of an ambitious £5m job retention and support package to help the sector recover from the pandemic. Funded by Sport England, it is being delivered by CIMSPA, alongside UK Coaching and EMD UK.

ReTrain to ReTain is now being opened up to professionals whose working hours weren’t affected by the pandemic but who deliver sessions that tackle inequalities, such as working with people from culturally diverse communities, those with disabilities or people with long term health conditions. Sport professionals are also invited to apply for the scheme where they can take advantage of the wealth of resources based on individual roles and personal circumstances. Benefits of the programme include access to: ● The Digital Marketing Hub, a free hub of on demand training, webinars and mentorship to help people upskill. ● 20 pieces of digital learning and 30 webinars to help professionals get back

The scheme will help people return to work in sport

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into work or increase their working hours - covering job applications, interview techniques and managing finances. ● A job matching service to support people in gaining new employment or additional hours. ● Discounted endorsed training from CIMSPA education partners. ● Discounted training from a range of providers ● Regular bulletins from CIMSPA to keep in touch with the latest developments in the sector. ● Sports coaches who live in areas of socioeconomic deprivation will receive 12 months unlimited access to more than 500 learning resources provided by UK Coaching.

The sport and physical activity workforce has a critical role to play in supporting the health of the nation. By upskilling staff and funding essential training, ReTrain to ReTain will help to plug significant skills deficits so employers can return to full capacity, community sport has the volunteers needed to return to play and the sector can tackle the inequalities that have been exacerbated by the pandemic to help those who benefit most from sport and physical activity. ● For more info: https://retrain.cimspa.co.uk