The Active Leisure and Learning sector includes five industries:

• sport and recreation
• health and fitness
• playwork
• the outdoors
• caravans

In 2004, there were 576,000 people in paid employment in the sector, accounting for almost 2% of the UK workforce.  There is also an estimated 5 million volunteers in the sector.  Sector information

The sector will also have to recruit 85,000 annually to cope with replacement demands.  Sector information

The South East, Scotland, the North West and London are over represented in comparison to employment across all industries (not necessarily the highest levels) in the Active Leisure and Learning sector.  Regional and national dimension

The SkillsActive workforce is 60% female, and comprises a higher proportion of young people aged 16-24 years than the workforce as a whole (but few under 18 years will be employed because of regulatory requirements) and white.  Equal opportunities

Professional, associate professional and technical occupations, together with personal service and elementary occupations, are more important within the Active Leisure and Learning sector than in the whole economy. Occupations

Most higher education acceptances are on playwork and outdoors courses, but applications are highest for sports and fitness related courses.  Education and training

Sector information

This contains an overview of the sector as a whole, details future trends in employment together with skill gaps and workforce development issues.

Data and charts

Links to the charts contained within this sector are listed.

Regional / national dimension

Information on regional trends and differences, together with the trends in the home nations including Scotland and Wales

Occupations

Information and trends on sectoral occupations.

Equal opportunities

Key information on equal opportunity issues specific to the sector.

Education and training

Education and training information and issues including work-based learning, apprenticeships, vocational qualifications, and further and higher education courses.

Research

A list of recent research publications which is intended to be a starting for those wishing for more detail on the sector.

Discussion points

Thought-provoking and challenging questions to start discussions.

Sector summary: Active leisure and learning

This summary gives a brief overview of the key trends in the sector.

Links and sources

This contains direct links to all the materials used to compile this sector. More in-depth and detailed information can be found in the source materials as only key points have been extracted. In addition, websites and further sources which may be of interest have been included.