Dual Careers for Athletes

This project aims to develop a comprehensive and sustainable Athletes Employment Service (AES) model to be integrated within Sports Schools across the STARS (Shaping Talents and Achieving Vocational Excellence in Sports funded by European Union) consortium. The primary objective is to support athletes in their transition from sport to broader educational and professional pathways by fostering participation in Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Higher Education (HE).

The AES model will be designed to address the unique needs of young athletes by providing tailored career guidance, education planning, and employment support. It will serve as a bridge between the sporting and educational domains, ensuring that athletes not only pursue excellence in sport but are also equipped with the skills and qualifications necessary for lifelong career development.

Through targeted upskilling and reskilling initiatives, the project will also enhance the professional competencies of sport practitioners working in Sports Schools. By embedding this service model within the institutional structure, the project contributes to broader policy goals on youth employability, inclusive education, and workforce adaptability in the sport sector.

Key outcomes will include:

• A replicable and evidence-informed AES model
• Improved access to VET and HE pathways for student-athletes
• Professional development tools and training resources for sport educators and support staff
• Stronger institutional partnerships between sports schools, education providers, and employers

This initiative represents a proactive response to the growing demand for dual career support and seeks to ensure that athletic excellence is matched by educational and professional opportunity.