A training initiative to prepare 18-24-years-olds for a career in the health and wellbeing sector has been launched in West London by its founder Fred Turok, chair of the Fitness Industry Association.

Called Transforming a Generation (TAG), the programme is designed for young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) and face limited career prospects.

The free six month programme combines academic work, business skills, work-based learning and two work placements – one in the UK and one abroad. Pupils will also be able to choose from a range of specialist modules including community activity programmes, gym-based exercises and pool-based skills.

Each student will be provided a mentor as well as a two-year Personal Development Plan to help them transition into the workplace. Every graduate will leave with a Level Two Fitness Instructor qualification and will be on the Register of Exercise Professionals.

Turok plans to open three more TAG Centres in London within 12 months and 100 TAG Centres across Britain within five years, in turn qualifying 6,000 disenfranchised youth as fitness instructors.

"Society's obsession with academic qualifications is almost a form of professional apartheid," said Turok.

"There are many young people who are alienated from our education process at school and their only career prospect is securing a series of badly paid, unrewarding jobs.

"TAG is designed to help them develop the skills, aptitude and confidence to change their lives."