The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has released its new Workforce Insight Report, offering the most complete picture yet of the UK grounds management workforce.

The report shows the scale, value and pressures within the sector, and explains why fair and sustainable workforce practices are now essential for the future of the profession.

Grounds management is a skilled and important part of the UK’s sporting and recreational system. More than 30,000 people work in the sector, supported by over 13 million volunteer hours each year. These teams help maintain the pitches, parks and playing surfaces that communities and sports rely on.

The report shows that the workforce is committed and proud of its role, but also under strain. Nearly half of grounds staff are aged between 45 and 64, and around 15% plan to retire within three years. Recruitment and retention continue to be major challenges, and employers report increasing difficulty attracting experienced applicants. Many sites depend on overtime and goodwill to maintain quality.

Job satisfaction is generally high, but the research shows clear concerns around pay, benefits and work‑life balance. Rising workloads and pay compression linked to the National Living Wage are creating pressure points that could affect motivation and progression, especially for long‑serving staff. These issues reflect wider pressures across the sector, where budgets are tight and demand is increasing.

To support employers, the GMA has also launched a new public resource, “Working in Grounds Management: Securing the Future of the Profession,” which is a shorter guide including key findings, updated salary information and practical points for employers.

It is available through a simple download on the GMA website. The full Workforce Insight Report is available exclusively to GMA members through MyGMA.

Insights from the report will help shape the GMA’s Fair Work Strategy. The strategy aims to support employers to strengthen pay structures, improve wellbeing, develop skills and create clearer progression routes, in ways that are practical and financially realistic.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA said: “Our pitches and playing surfaces depend on a skilled workforce. This report helps us understand the pressures staff and employers face, and why workforce issues are now business issues. The Fair Work Strategy will help the sector build a stable, motivated and resilient profession for the years ahead.”