Local skills plan 2026 to 2029
This local skills plan for Derby and Derbyshire 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 Derby and Derbyshire.
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:
Create education pathways
Create inclusive, skills-focused education pathways that connect learners, education providers and employers to meet local industry needs.
Work with the health sector
Develop and empower a sport and physical activity workforce able to work with the health sector to support the wellbeing of local communities.
Improve workforce diversity
Building a stronger, more inclusive and representative workforce through local insight and opportunity.
Supported and funded by Sport England and the National Lottery
Local skills accountability board
The Derby and Derbyshire 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 – Derby and Derbyshire: 2026–2029.
Board lead
Chair
Wayne Sills, Leisure Services Manager, Derby Active – Derby City Council
Vice Chairs
Dr Athalie Redwood-Brown, Senior Lecturer in Performance Analysis of Sport, Nottingham Trent University
Dr Jennifer Wilson, Senior Exercise and Health Practitioner, Nottingham Trent University
Board member organisations
- Active Derbyshire
- Burton and South Derbyshire College
- Chesterfield College
- Chesterfield FC Community Trust
- Community Action Derby
- Derby Active
- Derby City Council
- Derby College
- Derbyshire FA
- Department for Work and Pensions – North Derbyshire
- Everyone Active – Moorways Sports Village and Water Park
- FiiT for Life
- Joined Up Care Derbyshire
- Move More Derby
- North East Derbyshire District Council
- Places Leisure
Board geographical area
Derbyshire combines rural landscapes such as the Peak District with urban centres including Derby and Chesterfield. Governance is shared between eight district and borough councils, Derby City Council, and the Peak District National Park Authority.
The county’s mix of younger, more diverse urban populations in Derby and older, more dispersed rural communities creates differing needs for skills, access and participation.
