The report - the Skills Protocol Employer Leadership Group (SPELG) in Physical Activity, Sport and Active Leisure - highlights a number of 'asks' of government, the newly launched Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), and SkillsActive.

FE Minister John Hayes welcomed the ambition and leadership SPELG has shown in preparing its latest report in the House of Commons.

"I want to see more employers working together to ensure that the sector's evolving skills needs are effectively met," said Mr Hayes.

Over the next four years, SPELG aims to create a single qualification structure led by employers, ensure all their employers have a training plan, and work towards the requirement that all employees - current and prospective - hold skills passports.

It also intends to support the development of CIMSPA as one professional institute for the sector, creating a single vehicle for organising quality assured training.

Stephen Studd, chief executive of SkillsActive, commented: "The role of the SkillsActive Group is to work with the industry to ensure it has the professionally trained and qualified staff it needs to deliver the increases in active participation that will ensure its on-going success and continual growth."

"The report demonstrates leadership from employers based on the belief that 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."

Mark Astley

(Pictured: SkillsActive CEO Stephen Studd)