The new SkillsActive Achievement in Training Award was unveiled at SkillsActive’s annual Funders’ and Patrons’ dinner last week, with the first awards going to PGL Travel and Greenwich Leisure.

The winners were selected by SkillsActive, but next year the sector will be invited to nominate candidates.

Chief executive Stephen Studd said: “We are delighted to introduce the SkillsActive Achievement in Training award.

"The award has been initiated to recognise and reward those organisations in the sector that have demonstrated excellence in the development and training of their staff."

“PGL is an outstanding organisation that continues to develop its in-house training to meet the needs of a diverse workforce and ever-changing customer expectations, and I am delighted to present PGL with one of the first ever SkillsActive Achievement in Training awards.”

He continued: “It was also not difficult to choose GLL for our training award. They continue to provide excellent training opportunities and recognise that their staff need the right knowledge and skills to help them succeed and deliver the best service."

SkillsActive has introduced a number of awards for the leisure sector this year, including the Playworker of the Year and the Register of Exercise Professionals' Achievement Award. Next year it is also set to introduce the Apprenticeship Award.

Photograph: The Rt Hon Lord Pendry (right) presenting PGL director Martin Hudson with the SkillsActive award