Health and fitness training provider Premier Training International (PTI) has announced the launch of its new Level 4 Exercise for Specialist Populations (ESP) Diploma.

The course, which was unveiled at this year's Leisure Industry Week in Birmingham, is the only nationally-accredited Level 4 QCF programme currently on the market.

Designed as a progression from the Level 3 Certificate in Advanced Personal Training, it is hoped that the new course will reflect the industry's closer links with the medical sector.

Candidates will be required to have completed a Level 3 qualification to be eligible and will gain 20 REPs points for each of the qualification taken within the diploma.

PTI chief executive officer Debra Stuart said: "Expectations for fitness industry professionals are at an all time high and Level 3 qualifications often aren't enough to make graduates stand out from the crowd any more.

"Because of this, we're making sure that we maintain our position at the forefront of the industry and continue to support fitness professionals by introducing the only Active IQ nationally accredited Level 4 QCF qualification on the market."