Coach in sports hall with teenagers sat on floor

Sport & Physical Activity Employability Academy Pledge

Transforming lives through meaningful employment and careers


Sign the Pledge here

Introduction

As leading employers and stakeholders in the Sport and Physical Activity sector, we recognise the urgent responsibility to support young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET) and other individuals who are economically inactive and seeking employment.

By aligning with national employment schemes, such as SWAP (Sector-based Work Academy Programme), Skills Bootcamps, and the Youth Guarantee Scheme, we pledge to collaborate with government partners to develop and embed the Sport & Physical Activity Employability Academy in our work and across the sector.

Our shared mission - to equip young people and adult jobseekers with the skills, confidence, and career pathways they need to thrive in sustainable and fulfilling employment.

Our strategic approach

In partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and CIMSPA, we will align employability training with national priorities, ensuring that our sector becomes a core contributor to the Government’s employment objectives.

Over the next three years, we commit to supporting at least 10,000 young people annually into employment, creating a sustainable talent pipeline for our sector and delivering long-term social and economic impact.

Our commitment as signatories

  1. Create inclusive workplaces
    Prioritise diverse, welcoming environments where people from all backgrounds are empowered to succeed in sport, physical activity and active wellbeing careers.

  2. Champion the Academy
    Support the development and expansion of the Employability Academy as a trusted, high-quality route into the sector workforce.

  3. Enable structured career pathways
    Work alongside DWP and the Employability Academy to offer structured, supported routes into employment, including guaranteed interviews, placements, apprenticeships, and permanent roles.

  4. Provide mentorship and ongoing support
    Offer mentoring schemes and career guidance to help new sector professionals grow in confidence and achieve long-term progression.

  5. Invest in training and development
    Once in employment offer ongoing, industry-led training that develops qualifications, job-readiness, and the sector-specific competencies needed to flourish in a dynamic workforce.

  6. Guarantee professional status for career growth
    Every individual jobseeker completing a programme through the Employability Academy will receive professional status through CIMSPA, ensuring they are supported with continued education, networking opportunities, career progression tools, and industry recognition throughout their careers.

  7. Drive policy and unlock investment
    Work with government departments to unlock funding, drive policy reforms, and ensure long-term sustainability of employment pathways within our sector.

  8. Measure what matters
    Commit to tracking outcomes, sharing best practices, and continuously improving employability initiatives to maximise opportunities for young people and jobseekers.

A Call to Collective Action

We stand ready to work with the UK Government to:

  • Establish the Sport & Physical Activity Employability Academy as a cornerstone of national employment support.
  • Scale delivery through strategic collaboration with CIMSPA, DWP, DfE, DCMS, and the Treasury.
  • Ensure young people who are NEET and adult jobseekers can access fulfilling careers that also drive health, wellbeing and economic resilience.

Together, We Pledge

As employers and leaders in the sport and physical activity sector, we commit to making our industry a catalyst for employment, unlocking potential, building futures, and driving positive change.

Employers within the Sport and Physical Activity Sector

Sign the pledge here