Sport and leisure training provider Icon Training is planning a complete overhaul of its training structure in a bid to provide structured career pathways spanning from entry level right up to the boardroom.

Starting from September 2015, the planned overhaul will enable learners to progress from Level 1 courses (aspiring professional) through to Masters Level 7 qualifications (director) across a range of sector disciplines. Icon believes the revised structure will enable it to offer a career in sport and leisure as a long-term option through a series of accredited courses.

The move echoes the calls of many employers for a simplified system of career pathways and skills accreditation, at a time when the industry faces tough decisions on how to develop its training infrastructure. A number of active leisure employers feel the current learning and development structure – whereby skills development sits under more than body – is diluting training standards and making it difficult for young people to follow clear career pathways in the sector.

“For too long our industry has evolved through incidental management where staff have been put in place without the correct training or support, resulting in high staff turnover, and an undervalued sector,” said Icon Training CEO Julian Leybourne.

“We need to dramatically change perceptions of the sport and leisure industry, not just as a career option but as an integral part of the future health and wellbeing of our people and the communities we are part of.”