INDUSTRY VIEW
TARA DILLON • CIMSPA
Building the workforce the sector needs: retaining and attracting talent
R ight now, employers in the sport and physical activity sector are feeling the pressure when it comes to nding the right people for the job. With fewer candidates out there, rising expectations around pay and exibility, and ongoing skills shortages, recruitment continues to be a real challenge. There’s no simple solution to solving what is a complex socio-economic issue that goes beyond our control, but there are steps that can be taken to counter this trend. Invest in your workforce While it may seem easier to seek new talent when gaps arise, the reality is that recruitment comes with a high cost, not just nancially, but culturally and operationally. One of the smartest moves an employer can make is investing in the professional development and recognition of their existing staff. Recruiting new staff is rarely quick, easy, or cheap. Research by Oxford Economics and the Chartered Institute for Professional Development (CIPD) from 2022, shows that the average cost of replacing an employee in the UK is £30,000, including direct recruitment and onboarding costs as well as lost productivity over the 6 months it typically takes for a new employee to reach full effectiveness. Compare that to the cost of training and developing an existing employee which is on average £1,500 according to an employer skills survey from UKCES. The cost obviously depends on the level and type of training but even high-level professional quali cations rarely exceed £5,000–£7,000. In our sector speci cally, upskilling your workforce can be very cost-effective. For example, supporting a
member of your team to gain the knowledge and skills to deliver training for pre- and post-natal clients costs around £300. Or, providing the training to enable them to work with clients with long- term health conditions, which would enable you to align with GP referral schemes, typically costs less than £1,000. In most cases, an employer could
train ve or more staff members for the cost of recruiting one new staff member.
Plus, they are much more likely to stay where they feel challenged and professionally recognised.
Broadening your recruitment options I’d also encourage you all to nd out more about our ongoing work with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to introduce the Sport and Physical Activity Employability Academy, which is allowing jobseekers a great opportunity to discover a career in our fantastic sector. “People are much more likely to stay where they feel challenged and professionally recognised.” Critically, this work is being led by insight which shows us the skills and roles that employers in the sector need based on local and regional priorities. It has helped to shape the training being provided as part of this project which all meets the professional standards de ned and valued by employers. To harness our collective power, we’re still inviting employers of all sizes, and sector stakeholders to pledge their support to this project. Please get in touch with me, or one of my colleagues to nd out more. Tara Dillon, CEO, CIMSPA
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STATE OF THE UK FITNESS INDUSTRY REPORT 2026
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