Local skills plan 2026 to 2029
This local skills plan for Birmingham and Solihull sets out the key actions that sector stakeholders within the region are committed to delivering.
Created by using a range of insight and data, the plan reflects the current needs of education providers, employers and other key organisations in the sport and physical activity space in Birmingham and Solihull.
It aligns with broader regional strategies and initiatives to contribute to a healthy and active community supported by a representative, inclusive and skilled workforce.
The plan is divided into the following recommendations:
Improve recruitment and retentionÂ
Support employers by building a robust talent pipeline that is accessible to the area’s diverse population and enables workforce progression and retention.Â
Raise the profile of the sectorÂ
Promote the impact of sport and physical activity delivery on local health and economic priorities to raise visibility and credibility with system partners.  Â
Drive connectivity and collaborationÂ
Facilitate the growth of local partnerships by strengthening existing networks and developing understanding of the sector’s impact on wider regional priorities.Â

Supported and funded by Sport England and the National Lottery

Local skills accountability board
The Birmingham and Solihull Sport and Physical Activity Sector Local Skills Accountability Board (LSAB) is a collaboration between employers, education providers and other skills and sector partners.
It is managed by the sector’s chartered professional body – CIMSPA. The project is supported and funded by Sport England.
The board’s work is now centred on delivering its sport and physical activity sector local skills plan – Birmingham and Solihull: 2026–2029.
Board leads
Chair
Balbinder Bhogal, Managing Director, BBX Fitness LTDÂ
Vice Chair
Ross Szabo, Chief Operating Officer, Sporting StructuresÂ
Board member organisations
- PGLÂ
Board geographical area
There are two primary local authority councils within the region of Birmingham and Solihull: Birmingham City Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. The West Midlands Combined Authority, established in 2016, plays a strategic role in overseeing transport economic development and regeneration across the region. Â
Across Birmingham there are 10 sub regions: Sutton Coldfield, Perry Barr, Erdington, Ladywood, Hodge Hill, Edgbaston, Hall Green, Selly Oak and Northfield. Solihull sits to the east of Birmingham.Â
The two regions are linked by the Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board. Â
