The project is led by the recognised EU social partners in the Sector (EASE & UNI-Europa) and coordinated by EOSE – a not-for-profit EU Association specialising in the development of VET and employment research. It will deliver the first EU wide Employment and Skills map of the sport and physical activity sector – a sector of economic and social significance where new jobs are being created and new skills needed to match the labour market. Project Leaders are supported by national organisations acting as researchers and coordinators who will work with stakeholders in member states to carry out research activities and produce national reports analysing the employment situation, skill needs and priorities. The project will research national statistics to understand sport labour markets and will conduct a major on-line survey to identify skills needs of employers. Wide consultation will take place with the support of EU organisations and national representatives to finalise a Strategic Skills Action Plan to help ensure education, training and qualifications are geared to the realities, and to inform employment and career advisers of the real employment opportunities and skills needed in the sector. This action plan will include proposals for a sustainable EU Sector Skills Alliance for Sport based on the project partnership to oversee and support the implementation of the Action Plan and the on-going dialogue with education and training providers. The project has progressed in line with the original work plan to:- Establish the project partnership and design the working methodology to be implemented- Arrange two national coordinator meetings gathering all national partners to officially launch the project, present the work programme, role and responsibilities, timelines and financial rules- Establish contracting arrangements and financial and administrative processes with partners- Position national partners as independent coordinators in their own countries (18 countriesrepresented)- Create contacts in the remaining 10 countries to support the collection of data and production of summary reports- Raise awareness, promote the initiative and engage with European stakeholders from the sector to seek their input to the project planning and to build a network for consultation through their membership- Raise awareness and engage with national sector stakeholders with a view to creating aconsultative group (sector skills partnership) in each country- Engage with EU Agencies (Eurostat and CEDEFOP) and the DGEAC Sport Unit to ensure linkwith EU sport policy- Engage with National Statistics Offices to collate available data on the sport labour market- Undertake detailed desk research activities at national level to:+ Analyse the labour market+ Analyse the development and characteristics of the national sport system+ Analyse the education and training system and its provision, and assess its relevance to the sector- Prepare for the consultation phase:+ Develop and consult on the first draft questionnaire for the European Employer Skills Survey in the sector+ Start preparing a database of sport employer contacts in each partner country with a view to engaging them in the online consultation through the European Employer Skills Survey.During the first 18 months of the project, the aim has been to lay the foundations for the successful completion of the project.
Sport has the power to change lives, create jobs, develop people, improve health, and support community development and cohesion. Given this potential, it is vital that the sector has a competent workforce of paid staff and volunteers with the right skills, as well as a clear career structure and pathways with job opportunities.ESSA provided a unique opportunity to bring the sport and physical activity sector together for the first time to analyse and understand the labour market which was unknown and underestimated in order for the sector to move forward and to build a new relationship with education and training providers, based on this new understanding of the skills needed in employment by paid staff and the huge army of volunteers.A consortium of 18 national and 5 European level partners tackled the skills challenges of the sector collaborating with the entire sport and physical activity sector through the implementation of the European Sector Skills Alliance for Sport and Physical Activity during the innovative 3-year project.ESSA Main Activities:>Analysis of national sport labour markets through collaboration with Eurostat and National Statistics Offices>Desk research to present characteristics, evolution and future perspectives of national sport and education sectors>European Online Employers Survey on Skills Needs in the sport sector, with 3812 responses from across Europe>EU Expert Advisory Group bringing together 14 EU sport networks and umbrella bodies>Wide communication and dissemination to stakeholders at all levels>Effective project management and quality assuranceESSA Main Results:>National Reports from desk research activities and analysis of the Employer Skills Survey in sport – 28 reports produced to impact the sector in each EU nation>EU Report on Skills needs identification: Situation, trends, perspectives and priorities for the sport sector>EU and National Fact Sheets: Labour market and workforce development priorities for the sport and physical activity sector – 28 summary fact sheets produced, plus EU factsheet>European Sport Skills Seminar – successful event for 82 participants from 24 countries in Oct. 2019>Sustainable work plan for sport. In terms of new knowledge and data, the ESSA project highlighted the following realities and challenges for the sport and physical activity labour market: >A growing EU Sport Labour Market >Main characteristics:-More male than female as paid staff-Growing proportion of youth and 50 year+-High percentage of part-time contracts -High percentage of self-employed people -More workers with higher education qualifications than the EU average and less with low level of qualification.And some findings from the European Employer Skills Survey:>91.5% agreed it is important that their staff have access to on-going training to keep their skills up-to-date>79.9% agreed universities/training providers should work more closely with sport employers>Skills development priorities for eight identified occupations The ESSA-Sport activities have proven to be valuable exercises with new knowledge and important messages for stakeholders at all levels. National and European level conclusions and recommendations, including concrete action plans, have been generated and will inform future action in the sector. European level recommendations were formulated under the following headings: >Improving our knowledge and understanding of the sport and physical activity labour market>Promoting the value of the sport and physical activity sector>Promoting a more inclusive workforce for the sector>Upskilling and professionalising the workforceThrough dissemination activities carried out throughout the project, and planning for sustainability, the consortium is pleased to report that fully funded ongoing activities to continue and repeat the actions of the ESSA project are already planned for 2020 and beyond.