A new report from leading sport and active leisure industry employers, which outlines future skills requirements needed to ensure continued growth, has been welcomed by SkillsActive.

The Skills Protocol Employer Leadership Group (SPELG) in Physical Activity, Sport and Active Leisure study also aims to help the sector has a "direct impact" on wider issues.

Over the coming four years, SPELG aims to establish a single qualification structure led by employers, as well as working towards the need for all employees to hold a skills passport.

SPELG will also support the inception of the new Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity as the sector's one professional institute.

Meanwhile, SkillsActive has been identified as a "key influencer and driver of change" in the SPELG report and said its aims complemented the sector skills council's own targets.

SkillsActive chief executive officer Stephen Studd said: "This report demonstrates leadership from employers based on the belief that to fulfil its potential and have an impact, a growth strategy must be implemented based on the professionalisation of its workforce.

"SkillsActive's mission for more people, better skilled, better qualified lies at the heart of this drive and we are happy to respond to the challenge from the employers to implement the protocol."

Further education, skills and lifelong learning minister John Hayes said: "The emphasis going forward will be on the measurement of performance and impact on the sector concerned through government approval and license.

"This protocol ensures that skills are more responsive to business needs - by being demand-driven and employer-led."

SPELG chair Martin Havenhand added: "The intention of the Employer Skills Protocol for the Leisure Industry is to achieve a clear, simpler and better skills provision for the industry, which is cost effective for employers and employees."

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