Career Programme

In 2007, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) joined with Adecco to make the Athlete Career Programme available to its athletes. The IPC Athlete Career Programme coaches and trains elite Paralympic athletes around the world to successfully make the difficult transition from elite sport to a new career.

In 2009, the IPC and Adecco Group renewed their commitment through 2012 to meet the needs of Paralympic athletes at every stage of their lives. The programme is delivered in co-operation with the IPC, Adecco and National Paralympic Committees.

Programme

The IPC Athlete Career Programme supports elite and Paralympic athletes with employment opportunities using a two-track approach: Career development and Job placement.

Career development

The Adecco Group, together with the IPC, IOC, and certain NPCs and NOCs created a customized programme for athletes in the following areas: defining career goals, creating a CV/résumé, interview technique and networking tips.

Job placement

Athletes' employment needs vary at different stages of their careers. During competition, many look for part-time work, enabling them to combine sport and securing an income. At the end of their sporting careers, they need to take the important step of entering the labour market and looking for full-time employment. That is where Adecco's expertise and network comes in, making the right match and bringing employers and athletes together.

Employment

For employers

Employees are a significant investment for an organization, and finding dedicated and committed candidates can be a challenge. Goal-oriented, determined, courageous and inspirational team players are always difficult to find.

The Opportunity

Paralympic athletes have unique experiences and many desirable skills to offer. However, many have a background that does not fit readily into a commonly recognized career and work structure. Involvement with the IPC Athlete Career Programme can provide companies with extraordinary employees, capable of contributing special skills and traits they have exemplified as athletes who had to overcome many barriers before reaching their goals:

• Competitive

• Team players

• Goal oriented

• Passionate

• Enduring

• Internationally experienced

• Coachable

• Hard-working

Imagine employees who have a never-ending desire to be the best, combined with the talent and skills that enabled them to perform at an elite level. We help these athletes bring their sporting qualities to bear in their business careers.

Being successful is not a matter of luck – it boils down to systematic training and dedication, and athletes have the character traits to perform at a high level, both on the field of play and in business!

Athletes' testimonials

"For me, a job is not just about earning a living, it is also about self-fulfillment. Through meetings with Adecco, I defined my career objectives and undertook basic and professional training, as a basis for a more effective proposal to companies. On completing the training, I achieved my target and obtained a position at a leading telecommunications firm." Antonella Cecilia, Para-Equestrian, Italy.

"When I heard about the Athlete Career Programme, I contacted the Adecco branch in Berlin and in March 2007, I started work as a Facility Manager at the Swiss Embassy in Berlin, working 28 hours a week. Thanks to Adecco, I was able to focus on preparations for the Paralympics in Beijing." Martin Rickmann, Sitting Volleyball, Germany.

Athletes

Send an e-mail to: athletes@adecco.com,

or contact your National Paralympic Committee (NPC)

Employers

Send an e-mail to: athletes@adecco.com,

or contact the Adecco Group at:

+41 44 878 87 87

For other enquiries, contact the Adecco Group or the IPC:

Phone: +41 44 878 87 87 / +49 228 2097 200

E-mail: athletes@adecco.com / info@paralympic.org

Website: www.adecco.com / www.paralympic.org/athletes