The CIMSPA Careers Guidance Course is a completely free, downloadable resource pack designed to support education professionals across the sport and physical activity sector. Developed by the sector’s only chartered professional body, these ready-to-use resources help learners explore, understand and plan for a career in sport and physical activity—whether they’re just getting started, progressing their journey, or looking to advance further.
Split into three engaging parts, the course provides a structured and inspiring pathway to help learners visualise and prepare for a successful and fulfilling career in the sector:
The course is user-friendly and packed with high-quality content, including sector insight, inspirational case studies, interactive tasks, and supportive guidance. All resources have been mapped to the Gatsby Benchmarks for career education, and come with a dedicated Gatsby Benchmark Alignment and Guidance Document, making it easy for educators to integrate into existing programmes.
The CIMSPA Careers Guidance Course gives secondary students a tangible link between physical education and real-world careers. It helps pupils understand how their interest in sport and physical activity can develop into a meaningful profession, broadening their aspirations beyond elite performance to include roles in coaching, health, fitness, leisure operations, education, and more.
By embedding these resources into PSHE, PE or careers provision, schools can meet several Gatsby Benchmarks—especially Benchmark 2 (Learning from career and labour market information), Benchmark 4 (Linking curriculum learning to careers), and Benchmark 5 (Encounters with employers and employees). The video case studies and clear progression pathways offer students authentic insights that support informed subject choices, further study, or early career planning.
For Further Education learners studying vocational sport or public services qualifications, these resources offer clear guidance on how to transition into employment or further study. The course promotes professional identity by introducing learners to CIMSPA and its role in shaping the sector. It encourages students to reflect on their values, strengths and preferred career routes, while providing practical tools to help them build confidence, prepare for interviews, explore CPD opportunities, and understand industry expectations. With alignment to the professional standards and language used in the sector, FE tutors can use the resources to embed careers education seamlessly into classroom delivery or enrichment programmes—enhancing both curriculum quality and student outcomes.
In Higher Education settings, the resources act as a bridge between academic study and employability. University students gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate the professional landscape and actively shape their career trajectory post-graduation. The course encourages engagement with CIMSPA’s professional membership and standards, helping learners to think about ongoing professional development and positioning themselves effectively within the job market. Lecturers can integrate the content into personal development modules, placement preparation sessions, or careers weeks—empowering students to make strategic choices around their specialisms, placements, and professional growth.
The CIMSPA Careers Guidance Course equips Careers Advisors with a ready-made resource to inspire and inform young people about the diverse opportunities within the sport and physical activity sector. It connects students’ personal interests with real-world career pathways—spanning coaching, health and wellbeing, fitness, leisure operations, education, and more—helping them see beyond elite performance to a wide spectrum of meaningful roles.
By integrating this course into careers programmes, advisors can support key Gatsby Benchmarks—particularly Benchmark 2 (Learning from career and labour market information), Benchmark 5 (Encounters with employers and employees), and Benchmark 7 (Encounters with further and higher education). The course’s video case studies, progression maps, and sector insights offer authentic, relatable content that helps students make informed decisions about their future study and career options.
