The profile of play and playwork in Wales has been advanced by the adoption of the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) Play Policy and the Implementation Strategy that is likely to be published before the end of 2005.  Access to play is one of the Assembly’s seven core aims for children and young people.

The caravan industry contributed £100 million in Gross Added Value (GVA) output to the Welsh economy in 2004.  Although the industry is important to the Welsh economy, a slower growth rate is expected in the future. 
3,320 people are employed in the caravan industry, but levels are expected to decline over the next 10 years. 

In the Welsh health and fitness industry, there are up to 9 clubs in each region, with the exception of South Glamorgan which has 20 clubs. Key occupational in the industry include: external fitness coaches; class instructors; GP referrals; receptions staff; centre assistants; and cleaners.  The lack of career progression is a significant problem and a high proportion of 24-25 year olds are leaving the industry.  IT is considered a basic requirement in the industry, but technical and generic skills are as important. 

The sport and recreation industry contributed £200 million in Gross Added Value (GVA) output to the economy in 2004, representing 50% of the Active Leisure and Learning sector output in Wales.  The industry is expected to grow over the next five years, but at a slower rate than currently. The industry employs 15,000 people, accounting for just over 50% of the sector workforce in Wales, which is expected to increase by 2% to 2009 and then by 0.4% per annum to 2014.   Managerial staff are hard to recruit and graduates do not have the right skills to work in the industry.

The outdoors industry is very small in Wales with 1,200 employees, accounting for 4.5% of employment in the Welsh Active Leisure and Learning sector.  17% of the workforce are self-employed, 43% are full-time and 40% part-time. The age profile and gender balance in similar to other industries in the country.  The industry contributes £20 million to the Gross Value Added (GVA) output.  86% of organisations in the Welsh industry have between 1-10 employees.  Employment levels in the industry are expected to grow between 2004-2014.

Source: Skills Needs Assessment – Wales 2005, Skills Needs Assessment – Playwork 2005, Skills Needs Assessment – the Caravan Industry 2005, Skills Needs Assessment – Sport and Recreation 2005 and Skills Needs Assessment – Health and Fitness 2005

For more data on the Welsh Active Leisure and Learning sector see: