Leading sport and leisure industry provider, Caldicot-based Icon Training has been selected as a finalist in the Apprenticeships 4 England awards.

The annual awards, now in their fourth year, recognise outstanding examples of quality, best practice, innovation and excellence in apprenticeship delivery.

A finalist in the “Prime 501-1250 Apprentices in Learning” category, Icon is positioned against providers across a diverse range of sectors including a social business working with those in challenging circumstances and an IT and rail sector training provider.

The awards showcase and celebrate the achievements of those who have exceeded expectations and shown a dynamic approach to training, demonstrated initiative and enterprise, innovation and creativity, and shown understanding of, and commitment to the improvement of quality and skills development in the delivery of Apprenticeships.

Gary Denton, director of Icon Training, said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for these prestigious awards that assess training organisations across all of England to find the best providers.

"Our sector offers young people some of the most rewarding and life-changing career opportunities and those opportunities are set to grow over the coming years. Our industry is on the cusp of a real shift in the way in which people see health, fitness and leisure services and their relevance for 21st century Britain.

“At Icon we’re leading from the front when it comes to focusing our training, at every level, on improving the breadth and scope of courses, pay levels, career opportunities and ultimately a commitment to frontline service delivery across the board. The introduction of major government funding reforms and a pledge to create opportunities for three million more apprentices over the next five years will significantly impact the provision of apprenticeships for young people. These awards are recognising and helping to raise the bar for both the standards achieved and the overall profile of work based learning throughout England.”

The winners will be announced at the Annual Apprenticeships Conference on February 25 at the Emirates Stadium in London.