IPC extends agreement with Adecco

07 Sep 2012

“I am delighted that the IPC and Adecco have put in place this long-term agreement which will help secure the future of Paralympians once they retire from elite sport."

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) today expressed its firm commitment to the IPC Athlete Career Programme (IPC ACP) by agreeing to an eight-year extension of its co-operation agreement with the Adecco Group, the world’s leading provider of Human Resources solutions.

The signing, which took place in London during the Paralympic Games, was attended by IPC President, Sir Philip Craven and Adecco Group CEO, Patrick De Maeseneire.

Launched in 2007, the IPC ACP coaches and trains elite Paralympic athletes around the world to successfully make the transition from elite sport to a new career. The ACP also raises awareness within the business community of the unique value that Paralympic athletes can bring to the world of work: transferable skills and exceptionally strong personal traits.

Adecco has been working with the IPC to expand the current programme from training and placement to an additional pillar focused on inclusion. It fosters a dialogue between business, non-profit organisations and governments on the importance of including athletes and people with a disability in the workplace, creating greater diversity for the benefit of all involved.

Sir Philip Craven, who represented Great Britain in wheelchair basketball at five Paralympic Games from 1972 to 1988, said: “I am delighted that the IPC and Adecco have put in place this long-term agreement which will help secure the future of Paralympians once they retire from elite sport. The transition from competition to the workplace can be a difficult and daunting task for many. However, thanks to the co-operation with Adecco it will be far easier for athletes, who have many skills ideal for the workplace, to make the move smoothly and successfully.”

Adecco’s CEO Patrick De Maeseneire said: “Integrating Paralympic athletes and people with a disability into the workforce has a long-standing tradition within Adecco, both through its Foundations and the IPC Athlete Career Programme. Together with the IPC, we recognise the immense will, persistence and ability of Paralympic athletes to deliver. It is our goal to eliminate barriers to enable each person to gain access to meaningful employment. Helping people achieve ‘better work, better life’ is our common purpose and our way to contribute to society every day. Work is a source of dignity. It gives people a sense of purpose and belonging.”,” said Adecco’s CEO Patrick De Maeseneire.

The IPC Athlete Career Programme is currently developed and deliveredis in place in over 15 countries, with support froms by the Paralympic Movement, National Paralympic Committees, Federations and Adecco. tees and Federations – in cooperation with Adecco.

As the world gathers to experience this summer’s Paralympic Games – a catalyst for societal change - the IPC Inclusion Summit, organised by the IPC Academy in co-operation with Adecco, takes place in London. The Summit brings together business leaders, governments and the Paralympic Movement to discuss inclusion and accessibility and how this impacts society.