Employment:
Transcription
Employment:
About the IOC Athlete Career Programme (IOC ACP) Launched in 2005, the IOC Athlete Career Programme helps Olympic athletes successfully manage the difficult transition from elite sport to a new career through professional development and job placement. By the end of 2009, the IOC ACP had assisted more than 5,000 athletes from 40 countries and five continents with training opportunities and job placements. In 2009, the IOC, working in cooperation with Adecco, expanded the programme. The three pillars of education, life skills and employment provide a better platform to meet the needs of elite athletes during and after their sporting career and give them the chance to succeed at every stage of their lives. IOC ATHLETE CAREER PROGRAMME www.adecco.com – www.olympic.org/iocacp The renewal of the cooperation between Adecco and the IOC in 2008 included a commitment to continue expanding the coverage of the Programme around the world by involving more National Olympic Committees. The cooperation Employment: “Our Olympic athletes bring a special value to the world through their dedication to sport on a global stage. The International Olympic Committee, in cooperation with the Adecco Group, helps athletes make the difficult transition from elite sport to a new career through the IOC Athlete Career Programme. Athletes possess unique and special traits and experience they can contribute to the labour market.” Jacques Rogge, President, International Olympic Committee “Athletes who excel in their chosen disciplines need qualities similar to those that garner success in business. In recognition of these qualities, Adecco Group works closely with Olympic athletes offering career development and job training. This eases their transition and enables them to live their dreams, both in the sporting arena and beyond.” Patrick De Maeseneire, Chief Executive Officer Adecco Group Preparing Olympic athletes for a career after elite sport… And connecting them with the business community. For more information: Athletes Send an e-mail to: [email protected], or contact your National Olympic Committee (NOC) National Olympic Committees (NOCs) Send an e-mail to: [email protected] Employers Send an email to: [email protected], or contact the Adecco Group at: Phone: +41 44 878 87 87 For other enquiries, contact the Adecco Group: Phone: +41 44 878 87 87 Email: [email protected] Website: www.adecco.com legal line: 36USC220506 Because the finish line is only the beginning For employers For athletes Athletes’ testimonials Employees are a significant investment for an organisation, and finding dedicated and committed candidates can be a challenge. Goal-oriented, resilient and successful team players are always difficult to find. The IOC Athlete Career Programme supports elite, Olympic, and Paralympic athletes. The programme has three pillars: The opportunity: Elite and Olympic athletes have unique experiences and many desirable skills to offer. However, many have a background that does not fit readily into a commonly recognised career structure. Involvement with the IOC Athlete Career Programme can provide companies with extraordinary employees, capable of contributing the skills and traits they have exemplified as athletes: • Life Skills “The IOC ACP identified an opportunity where an athlete’s attitude and self-discipline would be valued and appreciated in the workplace. I love the job and the people I am working with, and obtaining the assignment was a smooth transition, thanks to the IOC ACP.” Angelo Della Noce, kayak, Italy • competitive • team players • goal-oriented • passionate • internationally experienced • Education • Employment Education: The first pillar provides athletes with advice on how to successfully combine sport and studies, including academic counselling, distance education and e-learning. Life skills: The second pillar helps elite athletes make the most out of their talents. On www.olympic.org/iocacp, athletes can find practical tools and guidance on topics such as health and nutrition, financial planning, time management, media training, public speaking, goal setting, and other topics. • 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 Olympic level. We help athletes bring these sporting qualities to bear in their business careers. Being successful is not a matter of luck – it is down to systematic training and dedication, and athletes have the character traits to lead, both on the field and in business! Employment: The third pillar helps athletes find their place in the labour market, using a two-track approach: Career development and Job placement. • Career development The Adecco Group, together with the IOC and certain NOCs created a customised 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’s where Adecco’s expertise and network comes in, making the right match and bringing employers and athletes together. More information can be found on: www.adecco.com or on: www.olympic.org/iocacp. “After Turin, I just didn’t know what to do with my life. The IOC ACP, in cooperation with Adecco, helped me to make the right decisions and now I can dedicate myself to training as a fitness instructor.” Eva-Maria Fitze, ice skater, Germany “After having attended an IOC ACP group meeting organised by Adecco with fellow athletes as well as two personal interviews with training and programme specialists, I’m confident I can put the doubts over my future to rest, whereas before I had absolutely no idea whatsoever about it! It’s been an unforgettable experience.” Miguel Cabrita, swimmer, Portugal “Before the IOC ACP, my career – both professionally and as a sportswoman – was uncertain. I had faith that great things were about to come my way, but I was not ready to face the inevitable changes. With the IOC ACP, I suddenly felt more self-reliant, especially when it came to taking tough decisions. It helped me find my inner strength. I’m definitely a renewed Paola!” Paola Silva, gymnast, Mexico About the programme The IOC Athlete Career Programme The origins of the ACP date back to the first "International Athletes' Sports Forum", held in 2002. The difficulties faced by athletes in making the transition to the labour market following a career in competitive sport were identified as a focus. Since the creation of the programme, 23 National Olympic Committees have joined with Adecco and the IOC, and are formally involved in the IOC Athlete Career Programme. There is a parallel agreement in place with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to serve Paralympic athletes. The IOC Athlete Career Programme helps elite, Olympic, and Paralympic athletes find their place in the labour market, utilising a two-track programme: Career Development (education/training) and Job Placement. The Career Development track was created around a combination of individual modules, based on core content from Lee Hecht Harrison (an Adecco business unit), customised to meet athletes’ requirements. This personalised programme assists athletes in viewing their athletic successes and characteristics from the point of view of the labour market and expressing them in appropriate terms. The programme works with athletes to enable them to communicate their skills and objectives to the business world in a common language. Job Placement is a personalised track built on Adecco's world-class job placement expertise. It is designed to help athletes leverage their unique backgrounds and capabilities, and position them to engage in the job market with the best support available. Coverage Agreements in place with NOCs Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hong Kong, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA Pending expansion In Process: Croatia, France, United Kingdom Preliminary Considerations: Egypt, Philippines, Russia, UAE Training delivered in Partnership Including: Botswana, Central African Republic, Ivory Coste, Gabon, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Congo, Senegal, Agreements in place with NOCs with Olympic Solidarity Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hong Kong, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA Togo, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinee, Fidji, Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga The Athlete Career Programme Content • The programme • Organisation & structure • Communications • Olympic sponsors & business development possibilities • Annexe IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 2 The programme IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 3 About the programme • The programme provides assistance to Olympic and Paralympic Athletes with the goal to assist them in managing the difficult transition from elite sport to work life. • In 2009, the IOC working in cooperation with Adecco, expanded the programme providing an enhanced platform to meet Olympic athletes’ needs during and after their sporting career with the following three pillars: • Education (delivered by the IOC) • Life skills (delivered by the IOC) • Employment (delivered by Adecco) ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 4 The employment pillar Adecco’s expertise and network comes in, making the right match bringing employers and athletes together through the employment pillar using a two-track approach: • Career development was created around a combination of modules based on the core intellectual content of Adecco Human Capital Solutions to meet the unique requirements of athletes. The personalised programme enables athletes to communicate their unique skills to the business world. • 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 a full-time employment which leverages their transferable skills. ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 5 Timeline Placement launched in Adecco Spain and Italy 1999 2000 Adecco developed training programme 2001 2002 2003 Adecco signed with the IPC Adecco signed with the IOC 2004 2005 2006 2007 Adecco renewed with the IOC & IPC trough 2012 2008 2009 > 5,000 Athletes participated during the first four years (IOC and IPC) 1st IOC Athletes Forum identified the need to support athletes in the labour market 3rd IOC Athletes Commission reinforced the need to support Athletes in Life 4th IOC Athletes Commission reinforced the need to support Athletes in Life ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 6 Programme key facts & figures • The programme has supported more than 5,000 athletes with career development and job placement since launching the programme in 2005 (IOC & IPC). • We have supported the job placement of just under 1,000 athletes • 26 country agreements are in place between Adecco and NOCs as of the end of 2009 and we are working with many more NOC’s to expand the programme – only participating countries have access to exposure rights • It is forecasted to have 15 agreements in place with NPC’s by March 2010 • We have worked in outreach areas (Africa and the South Pacific) to deliver career training where Adecco does not have an office touching athletes from an additional 18 countries as of December 2009. ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 7 IOC programme coverage Agreements in place with NOCs Strategy and rollout for NPCs to be published in Q1 2010 Pending expansion Training delivered in Partnership with Olympic Solidarity Arentina, Brazil, Canada Finland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hong Kong, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA In Process: Croatia, France, United Kingdom Preliminary Considerations: Egypt, Philippines, Russia, UAE, Korea, Tunesia Including: Botswana, Central African Republic, Ivory Coste, Gabon, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Congo, Senegal, Togo, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinee, Fidji, Samoa, Cook Islands, Tonga IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 8 Organisation & structure IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 9 Organisation IOC APC org. chart Jacques Rogge IOC President IPC APC org. chart Patrick De Maeseneire CEO Adeco Group Philip Craven IPC President IOC ACP Steering Committee Patrick De Maeseneire CEO Adeco Group IPC ACP Steering Committee Frank Fredericks Chairman (IOC) Christophe Dubi Op. Committee (IOC) Claudia Bokel IOC Athletes Commission Xavier Gonzalez CEO (IPC) Katarzyna Rogowiec Athletes’ Council (IPC) Stephan Howeg Head Group Comm. (Adecco Group) Christian Vasino Chief HR Officer (Adecco Group) Robert Ctvrtlik (Op Committee) Stephan Howeg Head Group Comm. (Adecco Group) Patrick Glennon Programme Director (Adecco Group) IOC ACP Global Management Patrick Glennon Programme Director (Adecco Group) Ryan Becker Business Development (Adecco Group) Adecco ACP Manager & Support Jean-Laurent Bourquin Senior Manager (IOC) Lilian Furrer Communication (Adecco Group) IOC ACP Country Teams NOC ACP Person, Athlete Commissions as needed IPC ACP Global Management Marion Dannaoui / Murielle Willi Project Assistants (IOC) IOC ACP Partners Olympic Solidarity Sponsors Regional Teams Patrick Glennon Programme Director (Adecco Gorup) Ryan Becker Business Development (Adecco Group) Bart Schell Edu. & Client Services Manager (IPC) Lilian Furrer Communications (Adecco Group) IPC ACP Country Teams Adecco ACP Manager & Support NPC ACP Person, Athlete Council as needed Steffi Klein Media & Communications (IPC) IPC ACP Partners Olympic Solidarity Sponsors Regional Teams IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 10 Organisation cont‘d • The IOC and IPC Athlete Career Programme is organised on global and country level. • Global manages the renewal and relationship with the IOC and IPC; the programme structure and process outlines; and coordinates the content, awareness and global sharing of best practices. • Countries with global support manage the renewal and relationship with the NOCs and NPCs. • All training materials for the programme are available on our Group Intranet. IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 11 Programme structure To best support new IOC/IPC ACP implementation and roll out, the programme qualifies the respective Adecco country organisation on the basis of defined criterias: Programme A Programme B Programme C Many Few None Experience Greater than a year First Year / Ramp -Up NA Placement Available Limited NA Training: Personal assessment; CV / Resumé preparation; networking; interviewing; job search Programme available personalized to local practices Training Modules delivered locally with global support Training Modules delivered in cooperation with the IOC Trainer Source Country representative Country or regional rep. with global support Regional or global rep. in cooperation with the IOC Number of Adecco Offices Communication Global: IOC, Adecco Group Global: IOC, Adecco Group Global: IOC, Adecco Group Local: NOC, Adecco Local: NOC, Adecco Local: NOC IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 12 Communications IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 13 Where do we stand together? IOC / IPC ACP network Instrument Operational Conference Calls (1h) Frequency Target Group Bi-weekly Group comm. Global ACP Manager, BD - Exchange information - Update on progress ACP Managers Call (2h) Quarterly Global ACP Manger, Country ACP Managers, Group Comm. Bi-annually Steering Committee - Coordination, information, controlling - Exchange Ideas Steering Committee Calls (2h) - Mid-term planning/strategy - Projects and review of programme -Budget IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 14 Where do we stand together? IOC / IPC ACP network Instrument IOC ACP Newsletter Frequency Target Group Quarterly Group comm. Global ACP Manager - Exchange information - Update on progress Personal Meetings Ongoing Global ACP Manger, Country ACP Managers, Group Comm. Every 12 - 18 Months Global ACP Manger, Country ACP Managers, Group Comm. Group Sales, Marketing - Coordination, information, controlling - Exchange Ideas IOC / ACP Summit - Coordination, information, planning - Exchange Ideas IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 15 Website The most current information is on: www.adecco.com / Athlete Career Programme You will find background information about the programme which can be shared with internal colleagues and clients and prospects. To see if your country participates in the programme, choose “About the programme” and go to “Coverage”. To contact your country IOC/IPC ACP manager, check “Press & contacts” and select “Country contacts”. Please reach out to this person first. If your country does not participate in the programme, or if you want further information, please go to “Contact Us” and submit your question to the global team. IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 16 Fact Sheet A good background on the programme is provided by our twopage fact sheet: IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 17 Quarterly Newsletter Updates on the Programme are communicated via our internal ACP Quarterly News: IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 18 Adecco Global Newswire AGN Success stories are communicated via our internal AGN: IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 19 IOC ACP main brochure This brochure is available in English and French. IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 20 IOC ACP employment brochure This brochure is currently available in English only. IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 21 IOC ACP Certificate The countries who have IOC ACP agreements in place, received the following signed certificate: IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 22 IPC ACP Certificate The countries who have IPC ACP agreements in place will receive the following signed certificate: IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 23 Olympic sponsors & business development possibilities IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 24 Olympic sponsors The Olympic Movement has multi-tiers of sponsors on a global and local basis. • IOC TOP sponsors: Global sponsors of the IOC • NOC sponsors: sponsors of the NOC’s may have multiple levels of sponsorship within the countries (sponsor, supplier, licensee) • OCOG sponsors: sponsors of the organizing committees that support the Olympic Games (may have different levels Tier 1, 2, 3) • IPC sponsors: Global sponsors of the IPC • NPC sponsors: sponsors of the NPC’s IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 25 IOC TOP sponsors Overview Attributes The following are the TOP sponsors. They are recognised globally by the IOC and all NOC’s. The current list may be different and is always included on www.olympic.org. • Global companies • Global IOC sponsors; with exclusive rights in every country around the world in every NOC. • Sponsorship right to market and advertise globally with access to the Olympic Marks • Exclusivity within a defined category • Rights to all 205 NOC Territories IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 26 NOC Sponsors Overview Attributes NOC sponsors are recognised exclusively in the NOC region / country. The following is an example German sponsors in 2008. A list of sponsors in your country can be found on your local NOC website. • Global and regional companies • Identified as country / NOC Sponsor • Right to market and advertise utilizing the NOC Mark covered in the region / country of the NOC • Sponsors may have various levels of rights managed by the NOC. • Typically 5 – 40 sponsors / suppliers per country • Note: NPCs may have sponsors. To identify, check the local NPC Website. IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 27 OCOGs (Organising Committee Olympic Games) Overview City / Year Olympic Country The Organising Committee of the Olympic Games represents the country of the host city as well as the host city itself. Therefore, the NOC forms an (OCOG) which communicates directly with the IOC, from which it coordinates activities and receives instructions. Beijing 2008 China Vancouver 2010 Canada The OCOGs have developed into large administrative entities employing hundreds of people. The Organising Committee starts its work with a period of planning followed by a period of organisation which culminates in the implementation or operational phase. London 2012 UK Sochi 2014 Russia Rio 2016 Brazil OCOGS manage all advertising and marketing rights surrounding the Olympic Games. Logo No logo as use restricted to UK IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 28 Programme leverage Leverage asset into enhanced value • Presents new business access opportunities (locally / globally) • OCOG, Sponsors, Adecco clients and prospects • Supports executive regional access • Positions Adecco Group as an innovator in the industry; allows global differentiation with a world class organization • Supports the UN Global Compact “Principle Support in Adecco” and is at the center of the Adecco CSR Strategy • Built on Adecco core competencies • Efficient operational structure in place and improving IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 29 Local and global benefits of the programme New business opportunities: • Sales, Marketing & Events at Olympic & Paralympic games or events • Client hospitality at Olympic & Paralympic games or events • Privileged access to Olympic & Paralympic sponsors national & global • Client events with athletes (e.g. Olympic museum Lausanne) • Key differentiator for Adecco Group in the market place • Reflects Adecco entrepreneurship and innovation cross business line Employer branding: • Internal training with Athletes • Employer engagement and motivation programmes • Customised programmes with the IOC/IPC and the respective NOC/NPC Outreach of the our Brand: • Branding activities • PR leverage IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 30 Annexe IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 31 How to use the IOC ACP „Mark“ The „Mark“ on IOC level • The IOC has granted Adecco the access to use the the IOC ATHLETE CAREER PROGRAMME „Mark“ along with the statement „in Cooperation with Adecco Group“. • All use of the „Mark“ and the required accompanying statement by Adecco must be approved by the IOC. All users are therefore requested to contact Patrick Glennon or Lilian Furrer prior to make any use of the „IOC Mark“ or the Olympic Rings. The „Mark“ on NOC level • The participating NOC providing the IOC ATHLETE CAREER PROGRAMME and Adecco country offices have separate agreements on how to use the NOC „Mark“ and the Rings. Therefore every country is responsible to comply with the local contract. • All use of the „NOC Mark“ and the required accompanying statement by Adecco must be approved by the respective NOC. IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 32 How to use the IPC ACP „Mark“ The „Mark“ on IPC level • The IPC has granted Adecco the access to use the the IPC ATHLETE CAREER PROGRAMME „Mark“ along with the statement „in Cooperation with Adecco Group“. • All use of the „Mark“ and the required accompanying statement by Adecco must be approved by the IPC. All users are therefore requested to contact Patrick Glennon or Lilian Furrer prior to make any use of the „Mark“ or the IPC logo. The „Mark“ on NPC level • The participating NPC providing the IPC ATHLETE CAREER PROGRAMME and Adecco country offices have separate agreements on how to use the NPC „Mark“ and the Rings. Therefore every country is responsible to comply with the local contract. • All use of the „NPC Mark“ and the required accompanying statement by Adecco must be approved by the respective NPC. IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 33 Adecco’s experience in the field of events • Adecco was the Official Supplier of Euro 2000, recruiting 3.000 volunteers. These are the roles in which they had been more emploied: Translators, Hostesses, Logistic Operators, Drivers, Press Operators, Call Center Operators e HR Operators. • 7,000 employees supplied on a daily basis to all services and organisations at the World Expo in Hannover 2000. Adecco was the exclusive placement partner and we have created a database of approximately 30.000 candidates for this event. • Adecco was the official Staffing Services Supporter to Sydney Olympic Games. We recruited over 12,000 staff in the areas of: marketing, finance, community relations, legal, human resources and administration. Branches filled 2,500 permanent positions and 70,000 other temporary positions leading up to the event • Adecco placed more than 1,000 Volunteer during the Commonwealth Games in 2002. Targets were 3,000 youngster to complete 30 HR accredited training on First Aid, Customer care and “being a perfect host. • Adecco was the official sponsor & recruitment Partner for the Davis Cup that is organized by the International Tennis Federation. Adecco was in charge of managing and selecting personnel for the various tournaments that were held around the world. The contract has been started in 2001 and was re-newed until 2007. IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 34 Adecco’s experience in the field of events • Adecco was the official supporter of the 32nd America’s Cup held in Valencia from 2004 – 2007. We were supplying all services that were related to human resources management, meaning that we were responsible for recruitment and selection of the personnel, the administrational work of all the employees working for the organisational committee of the America’s Cup • During 2004 and 2007 Adecco was the official Partner of FIBA (International Basketball federation). The partnership included a programme for professional athletes that were preparing themselves for a career after their dedication to the sport. The programme included assistance and training for the athletes. • Since seven years Adecco is the supplier for a part of the staff employed during the games in the stadium of A.C. Milan. For each home-match , Adecco supplies 150 stewards and hostesses • Adecco is supplying Aramark Catering during the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Cataluna with approx. 800 workers for the weekend. • Adecco Spain is working with the 3 main suppliers for the ATP Master Series in Spain and recruits and selects approx. 800 temporary employees for the 10-day event IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 35 Adecco’s experience in the field of events • Adecco was the official supplier for the Olympic Winter Games 2006 in Torino. The responsibilities included recruitment and training of 27000 volunteers and the outplacement programme for 800 employees working directly for the organising committee. • Adecco was responsible for the 2009 Arte Biennale in Venice. We hired 150 temporary employees with a background in Arts to increase the service quality and the experience of the visitors • Adecco Canada is working with some supplier for the Olympic Games in Vancouver. One of them is Tickets.com were currently 50 associates are working with the goal of having 125 during Games time. Won bid for approx. 500 associates to supply Vanoc before the Games and 750 associates during game time. No logo as use restricted to UK • Adecco is the official supplier of the London 2012 Olympic Games and responsible for the recruitment of all internal staff as well as the volunteers during the games period. We are also supplying the organizing committee with our outplacement services for internal employees. IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 36 Global programme management contacts Name Position Email Phone Patrick Glennon Global Programme Director [email protected] +1 914 656 5452 Ryan Becker Business Development [email protected] +41 44 878 89 08 Lilian Furrer Group Communications [email protected] +41 44 878 88 82 IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 37 January 2010 IOC/IPC ACP Presentation Q4 2009 Slide 38 Athletes stories Catalin Popovici handball, Romania ACP key to success in "Career Competition" In his career as a professional handball player for Romania, and then as a player/coach in Italy, Catalin Popovici went from success to success. Between 1985 and 2004, Catalin represented his country on over 200 occasions, including European and International championships. Bringing his success in the handball court to the world of work proved more challenging, and upon returning to his native Romania he spent several months pursuing various jobs without success. After learning that the NOC and Adecco had launched the ACP in Romania, Catalin made the right move and called the ACP representative. As Catalin explained it was the first step to winning outside his sport: "The labour market was a new kind of competition. I wasn’t expecting to find the perfect job right away – my initial experiences with the labour market were opportunities to train and prepare for something better. I had a series of meetings during which I learned how to put together an effective résumé, how to present myself at an interview, how to emphasise my qualities, and how a selection process works." After a few unsuccessful job interviews, the ACP supported Catalin by giving him the tools to analyse and learn from the experience and identify how to "emphasise abilities that would bring value to the employer". Success followed and he secured a position with a foreign financial services company. Catalin commented: "It’s more than a year since I started working at this company and I can say with pride that I am highly appreciated. I like my role here very much. To all sportsmen and sportswomen, I say with all my heart: the finish line is just the beginning!"