The Sports Sector of the United Kingdom - Report Example

Career Action Plan – Sport Sector Table of Contents Introduction 3 Occupational Research 4 Terms of References 6 Methodology 6 Findings 7 Conclusion 8 References 9 Bibliography 10 Introduction It is rightly observed that the word ‘change’ is the only constant thing in the present world of today. There is almost no doubt that the massive developments in the factors like technological innovation and communication process have considerably influenced the employment sector all across the globe. It is increasingly observed that the educated youth are no longer banking only upon the traditional jobs and careers. The modern scheme of things has huge influence upon the employment generation segments and the graduates are increasingly looking for non – traditional and adventurous types of job. Sport industry has come up as a major constituent of jobs in the present scenario. Previously, sport industry used to pay only to the players and sportsmen while the administrators and the other office – bearers use to perform their jobs because of their passion for the game. But it has observed sea change from such approach of the sporting industry. With more professionalism imbibed in to the industry, today the sporting fraternity has come up as a major product that could be sold for a price. It has changed the entire outlook of the concerned quarters. The report deals with the generation of employment in the sports sector of United Kingdom. The report comprises of as many as six organisations in which a graduate can expect to be a part of in terms of his or her career. The report also studied the overview of the sports job in the United Kingdom. Occupational Research It has already been discussed that the industry of sports has been booming in terms of employment. The jobs are basically in the marketing and the broadcasting segment. Among the various sporting items, football holds a major position in creating employment opportunities. The other important segment that has ample opportunity for employment is that of the Olympic Games that is supposed to be hosted at London in the year of 2012. The research reports suggest that investments and expenditures have increased over the last decade in the domain of sports by considerable extent. Comparing the scenario of 2005 with that of 2000, Karren Brady, the CEO of Birmingham City Football Club and a Board Member of Sport England had suggested the following: “Sport-related economic activity in England increased from £10.37 billion in 2000 to £15.47 billion in 2005; an increase of almost 50%. Consumer expenditure on sport in England increased from £11.81 billion in 2000 to £16.58 billion in 2005; an increase of 40%. Sport-related employment in England stood at 434,000 jobs in 2005, an increase of 68,500 jobs (19%) since 2000. In 2005 sport-related employment in England accounted for 1.8% of all employment in the country, greater than the combined employment of the radio, TV and publishing sectors. The majority of sport-related jobs (76%) are in the commercial sector, with 12% in the voluntary sector and 12% in the public sector. · Public and voluntary sector sport-related jobs increased from 63,000 in 1985 to 103,000 in 2005”. (Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, n.d.). In the recent years, career opportunities in British sports segment have been highly influenced by the Olympic Games. According to a recent survey of the reputed consultancy firm, Price Waterhouse Coopers, the sports industry has grew by a hoping 23 % from 2006 to 2007 and the consultancy expects it to have the highest growth as it prepares for 2012 Olympic Games. According to PwC, the global sports market is expected to reach $ 140.6 billion by 2012 and United Kingdom is expected to outperform all other sports market including that of United States that still suffers from the affects of credit crunch (Associated Press, 2008). Among the various occupations, it is evident from the trends that most of the openings are coming up in the positions of sports administrators, marketing and broadcasting of the sport segments. Terms of References The research is primarily based on the secondary source i.e. internet. In the globalised era of today, one just cannot deny the effect and influence of internet. Almost all of the major companies, organisations, sporting bodies advertise for their openings through internet. Internet is also a very useful platform as it has a wide reach. Along with the direct company or the organisational advertisements, also there are various job sites that provide due insight over the career plans for the graduates in the sporting arena. Such job sites have also been used as the terms of references. Methodology As discussed earlier, various secondary sources have been used to investigate the career action plan of any young and fresh as well as experienced graduates in the domain of the sports industry. The six organisations that were chosen for the research include that of UK Sport, Sport England, London 2012, Football Association, Lawn Tennis Association and the Lord’s. Along with all these renowned sporting organisations, several other job sites were also consulted to carry out the research report that emphasises upon the viability of sporting activities as the career plan for the graduates. Some of the major job sites include that of ‘jobs.ac.uk’, ‘Sports Recruitment International’, ‘Job is Job’ and ‘N Jobs’. These websites comprise of detailed opportunities that a graduate can seek in the domain of sport. The research report basically deals with the different positions in which a graduate can fit in and the scope of such career opportunities. Findings The significant rise in jobs in the sport segment other than non – playing has been because of rising professionalism in the sector. As sports are becoming a hugely saleable product thanks to the satellite television and the broadcasting deals, the segment no longer remains just a leisure activity. Much of adrenaline are spent which turns the sporting arena as the battle field full of emotions and prestige along with monetary benefits. These factors call for efficient management of the activities which invariably opens up huge opportunity for the graduates and the professionally trained persons. The national bodies of sports like that of Sport England, Lawn Tennis Association and Football Association are basically funded by the government and have huge operations. The graduates are taken into such big organisations as administrators. The career graph of the graduates can be really great with such sporting authorities. Though, one might have to start from the trainee level, yet one cannot overlook the golden opportunity that such careers bring into the young graduates (Prospects, n.d.). The British job market has also received a boon as it was decided that London will host the Olympic Games to be held in 2012. The event like Olympic calls for huge investment and enormous job opportunities are created. When because of the global meltdown and financial slowdown, there have been major cuts in allocation of funds in sporting events of other countries, the fact that Olympic is set to be held at London, called for increased investments. With the rising investments, the employment opportunities increase in the field of building and real estate, travel and tourism, marketing of sporting events among others. There are various scopes of getting involved into the Olympic Games like that of business networking and volunteering along with education and cultural Olympiad. The jobs that are available with the Olympic Games are basically divided into two parts namely LOCOG and ODA (London 2012, n.d.). The other important sporting body that was taken into consideration for the purpose of the research was that of Lord’s. Lord’s is regarded as the most sacred cricket playing ground of the world and it is also the home ground for the prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club. The job opportunities that the club and the Lord’s provide are aimed towards graduates for various management as well as non management positions. It would be a great career ride for any individual if he or she can get the opportunity to work with such prestigious institution (Lord’s, n.d.). Apart from these six leading organisations, there are also many other sporting organisations that provide vivid career plans to the young graduates like that of the football clubs and the county cricket teams. Conclusion The huge opening that the sporting fraternity is presenting in front of the young graduates is a sort of splendid opportunity. The important aspect that the graduates have to follow is that they have to be aware about the happenings around the world especially within the sporting arena. The aspirants have to imbibe the skills that are expected from them along with the required knowledge. With the right traits among them, the young professionals can really make their dream career into the sporting industry. The jobs relating to marketing and administration are always interesting and the passion for sports is set to make it more worthy of a career. The high growth rate of the industry further validates the scope. References Associated Press, 2008. Strong growth in UK sports industry. USA Today. [Online] Available at: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2008-06-19-3860996986_x.htm [Accessed March 20, 2010]. London 2012, No Daye. Get Involved Now. Jobs. [Online] Available at: http://www.london2012.com/get-involved/jobs/index.php [Accessed March 20, 2010]. Lord’s, No Date. Staff Vacancies. Current Vacancies. [Online] Available at: http://www.lords.org/mcc/staff-vacancies/ [Accessed March 20, 2010]. Prospects, No Date. Typical Employers. Sports administrator. [Online] Available at: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/sports_administrator_vacancy_sources.jsp [Accessed March 20, 2010]. Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, No Date. Press Release. Energize. [Online] Available at: http://www.shropshiretelfordwrekinsportspartnership.org.uk/downloads/Press%20release%208.pdf [Accessed March 20, 2010]. Bibliography Sports Recruitment International, No Date. Broadcast and Media. About Us. [Online] Available at: http://www.sportsrecruitment.com/content.php?id=26 [Accessed March 20, 2010]. Sport England, No Date. About Us. Home. [Online] Available at: http://www.sportengland.org/about_us.aspx [Accessed March 20, 2010]. UK Sport, No Date. Job Description. Sport Coaches. [Online] Available at: http://www.uksport.gov.uk/jobs/Let-Me-Play-Sports-Coaches-180310 [Accessed March 20, 2010]. Read More