Ian Perkins, once a gang member at a very young age, knows only too well the tragedy of taking the wrong path in life and losing friends due to crime and unrest.

Looking for a second chance in life and to prove the people who once doubted him wrong, Ian’s determination and will to succeed led him to Lifetime. Enrolling into the Lifetime Fitness Academy and with the support of tutor Mark Pemberton, Ian successfully completed his Level 2 Fitness Instructor Apprenticeship; not only could Ian earn while he learned, but he was able to gain ‘on the job’ skills and a true understanding of the industry.

Ian says: “I have turned my life around, influenced people and shown never to give up on anyone. In the space of just 20 months I have come from “just an apprentice” to becoming the youngest ever Health and Fitness Manager of the largest Fitness First club in Europe. I have received two awards from my employer on consecutive months, which has never been achieved by anyone in the company. I always aimed high from the very start and never gave up on that goal.”

A bright future awaits Ian; he now teaches ‘PT Business’ courses and has worked hard to establish himself in the fitness industry. “Eventually I want to have a say in how the industry is run. I feel that my passion behind health and fitness can influence change; my ambition is to aim high!”

Fitness First Cluster Manager Simon Latham says: “Fitness First is committed to supporting the continued professional development of all our staff towards performance excellence and as our training provider we are delighted that Lifetime is recognising the achievements of these people through the Lifetime Learner Achievement Awards.

“We are extremely proud that from a difficult place in his life, Ian has demonstrated how much someone can achieve with hard work and dedication. Not only that, but that he is also now helping others to achieve. From a new start with the Lifetime Fitness Academy, through to his recent achievements, his is a story to be celebrated and we hope to use it to inspire others within the Fitness First team and we will continue to support anyone that has the development of others at heart.”

To find out more about Apprenticeships in the sport and active leisure sector please see Apprenticeships

SkillsActive chief operating officer David Henwood helped judge the first ever Lifetime Learner Achievement Awards ceremony on 17 November.

David says the awards, split into three categories (Open, Academy, and Apprenticeship programmes), recognise and celebrate the learning achievements and resulting career and personal successes, of those who have completed a qualification with SkillsActive's approved training provider, Lifetime.

David was invited to be a judge alongside David Foster (Lifetime CEO), Carole Bishop (Head of Lifetime Awarding), Spencer Melhman (NotGoingToUni).

David says: "It was a real honour to talk to the 20 finalists and learn what a difference their new found skills and knowledge in the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector has made to them and those around them.”

Mark Davey, 31, from Westcliff-on-Sea was crowned the open category and Overall winner of the 2011 Awards. Mark overcame health issues and is now a fulltime gym manager, running his own exercise referral company and helping give back to those suffering similar health conditions.

Rachel Hobbs, 21, from Guildford was named as Apprenticeship programme category winner with a story of determination and passion to succeed for the sake of her young son.

The Academy category prize was scooped by Londoner Ian Perkins, a young man who has well and truly turned his life around through training.

20 finalists were shortlisted for the inaugural 2011 Lifetime Learner Achievement Awards, from an impressive 130 nominations. For further information on the 2012 awards, please visit www.lifetimeawards.co.uk