Career boost for former sports stars
Many athletes have to retire at a young age because of injury or other problems. Helping them to find jobs has always been a big challenge for the authorities.
The Hong Kong Athletes Career Programme, launched by the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee (SF&OC) of Hong Kong, China earlier this month, can help put the lives of former sports stars back on track.
The SF&OC is the first Asian national Olympic body to officially join the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes Career Programme.
It is co-organised by Adecco, the world's leading employment services company with more than 6,000 offices around the globe.
Adecco is currently in charge of the programme in 17 countries. It is aimed at supporting athletes during their transition to another career after quitting their sport.
It focuses on three elements - career consultation, training and job placement support.
Career consultation comprises seminars and workshops, as well as one-on-one meetings depending on the situation.
The training sessions cover job-seeking and interview skills, while the SF&OC is responsible for job placements.
The programme is open to all athletes of associations under the SF&OC.
'Sports require extensive personal investment from athletes that leaves them with little time to prepare for their professional life,' says Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, IOC member and president of the National Olympic Committee of Hong Kong. 'This is where we come in with Adecco and other prestigious corporations to deliver career training and to place our athletes in the
right jobs.
'We are very proud to support our athletes to find new challenges in the workplace and gain a foothold in the global labour market.'
For more details about the programme, telephone Felen Chan at 2891 3092 or Bonnie Wong at 2504 8556
