As they retire from sport, athletes bring attributes and skills that make them a lead talent source. Yet, millions of athletes struggle to successfully enter into the broader workforce. The Adecco Group’s Athlete Programme helps them transition from the world of sports into the job market.
The challenge
Retirement from sport is inevitable. Athletes often retire at a young age (average 25 – 30), meaning that they still have about 40 professional years ahead of them. As they retire from sport, athletes bring attributes and skills that make them a lead talent source; that can deliver real value for the organisations that hire them.
However, millions of athletes struggle to leverage their talent and experience; to successfully enter into the broader workforce and the job market. Having different background and work history from most people; Athletes often grapple with translating their knowledge and attributes into a business language. Their transitioning therefore requires thought, planning, action and support from multi-stakeholders.
Solution
The Adecco Group envisions a world where athletes are recognised by employers as an unbeatable talent-pool achieving meaningful employment. The mission of the Athlete Programmes at the Group is to increase global employability of athletes as they transition from the world of sports, into the broader workforce.
The programmes employ a blend of advice, career-training, peer learning, and other tailored services to help prepare athletes for broader workforce and life beyond the world of competitive sport. Through cooperation with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC); a holistic programme model has been developed over the past fourteen years. This programme is now aimed at taking this model beyond the Olympic community, to reach a broader array of athletes who need to be prepared for career transition: i.e Women footballers.
Key numbers
45000
athletes supported
185
countries represented
Outcomes
Athletes get career prospects beyond their sports life, increasing their employability as they transition from sports into a broader labour market:
Key support provided to athletes:
- Access to online career development recourses
- Employability workshops
- Tailored local programmes in partnership with local sport bodies and Adecco Group
Employers gain access to a world-class talent and role models that further inspire their workforce. Companies that hire athletes increase their chances of staying ahead of the recruiting curve.