If organisations are to grow and prosper, they need the right people with the right skills.

Geting the right people is not just a matter of putting an advert in the paper and hoping for a good response. If only it was as simple as that!

A good employee / volunteer is someone who is knowledgeable, has the skills that are needed and is committed to the organisation.

Particularly with sport and recreation organisations, the most likely source of paid or voluntary staff is within.

Human resource planning is about developing people. The task is to identify the future needs of the organisation for people, and to set a plan in place to provide the right conditions for people to grow in knowledge, skills and confidence.

Identifying the future needs of the organisation for people requires an assessment of:

• The strategic goals the organisation (where it is headed)
• The skill shortage of the present workforce to accomplish the strategic goals.

The skill shortage can be:

• Not enough people
• Not enough people with the skills required