asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to address skills shortages in the sport and fitness industries. [HL2025]

From 2002, the Government established the Sector Skills Development Agency and a network of 25 sector skills councils (SSCs) to address sectoral-specific skills issues. SkillsActive, the SSC for the active leisure and learning sector, is licensed by the Government to lead the productivity drive across the sport and fitness, outdoors, playwork and caravan industries. Following consultation and research with employers, training providers and other partners, the recently published sector skills agreement for the sector has set out the priorities for addressing skills shortages and developing the skills of the workforce. SkillsActive is involved in a variety of initiatives to address skills shortages and to develop the skills of the workforce. These include: preparing a submission for a national skills academy; developing a sport and leisure diploma; developing an advanced apprenticeship in sporting excellence and a young apprenticeship for the sport and active leisure sector; and working with the sector and employers to develop national occupational standards.