The Centre of Excellence for Fitness (CoE) for national employers, powered by training company Lifetime, will provide government-funded fitness instructor and personal training courses.

The CoE is part of the new National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure, led by SkillsActive, which has been established to provide employer-led, industry-recognised training with the intention of bridging the skills gap.

The classroom-based aspect of the programme will run for four to five weeks, followed by a period of work-based training while employed by a health club or leisure centre.

The fitness instructor programme, which will equip individuals with an entry-level industry-recognised qualification, focuses on exercise and fitness knowledge, gym instructing, first aid and customer service.

The level 3 personal training programme will include advanced gym programming, health screening, nutrition and weight management, business skills and behavioural psychology.

Siobhan Wright, marketing manager at Lifetime, said: "With all the gloomy news about job cuts and the recession, many people are understandably concerned about their career. But the good news is that the fitness sector is growing and this is due to the increasing awareness of government initiatives such as the staging of a successful 2012 Olympics and getting half the nation active by 2012.

"With the help of the Centre of Excellence for Fitness, there are some free training opportunities out there to help people achieve a rewarding career.”

The courses will take place in London, Southampton, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. A further four training venues will be announced next year.

For more information: see www.personalabouttraining.co.uk