Approximately 48,800 people are employed in sport and recreation sector, including 3,600 self-employed.  This accounts for 1.2% of the regional workforce and 10.6% of all sector jobs in the UK.  There is estimated to be 849,700 volunteers working in the sector.  Much of the employment in the sector is local authority based.

At a sub-regional level, employment is:

• 12,600 East London
• 12,200 Central London
• 9,500 South London
• 7,800 West London
• 6,600 North London

In London, there are over 2,750 sport and recreation businesses, 70% of which employ less than 10.  Businesses are clustered in central and East London.  There are few organisations employing over 200 people.

Larger, well-known sector organisations in the region include the professional football and premier rugby clubs, and the county cricket grounds.  A wide range of sporting events are also held in the region and there are a number of major stadia and facilities.  Five English Institute of Sport centres are located in London. 

The 2012 Olympics in London will have a major impact on the infrastructure of the sector in the region.  A range of world-class facilities and training venues will be built for the event.  An estimated 9,000 jobs will be created, 3,000 of which will be in the East of London.  In addition, 70,000 volunteers will be required.  The redevelopment of Wembley stadium will also create employment opportunities and facilities to attract major sporting events.
 
Key statistics on the sector in the region:

• 59% of the workforce are female
• 46.2% of the workforce are employed part-time
• jobs are expected to increase by 7,700 between 2002-2008
• a high turnover rate is expected with 30% of current jobs needing to be filled up to 2008, equivalent to 14,600 jobs

27% of employers are expecting employment levels to increase, whilst only 1% forecast a decrease. 

Only 11% of businesses have vacancies, forming 1.7% of employment in the region.  26% of businesses with vacancies are finding them hard-to-fill.  These vacancies are the result of poor terms and conditions of job and the nature of shift work.

Internal skills gaps are reported in 24% of sector businesses in the region which equates to 13% of the workforce.

Source: SkillsActive regional fact sheet