Approximately 73,500 people are employed in the South East’s sport and recreation which includes 5,400 self-employed people.  Employment in the sector accounts for 1.9% of the regional workforce.  16% of all jobs in the sector are in the South East.  There is estimated to be 947,800 volunteers working in the sector.  Annual growth in employment was 6.3% in 2002.

At a sub-regional level, employment is:

• 18,300 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
• 12,200 Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire
• 11,100 Sussex
• 11,100 Kent and Medway
• 7,800 Berkshire
• 7,700 Surrey

The region has 4,900 organisations in sport and recreation, with the highest numbers in Hampshire and Isle of Wight, and Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.  75% of businesses in the sector employ less than 10, compared to 85% across all sectors in the region.  Larger organisations in the region include professional football clubs, county cricket clubs and four formula 1 motor racing teams.  Golf and horse racing, together with a number of theme and leisure parks attract visitors.

Key statistics on the sector in the region:

• 59.4% of the workforce are female
• 52.2% of the workforce are employed part-time
• jobs are expected to increase by 11,600 between 2002-2008
• a high turnover rate is expected with 30% of current jobs needing to be filled up to 2008, equivalent to 22,100 jobs

19% of businesses have vacancies forming 2.7% of employment in the region.  Internal skills gaps are reported in 20% of sector businesses in the region which equates to 11% of the workforce.  Skills that need development include: customer handling skills; communication skills; and team working.

Source: SkillsActive regional fact sheet