January 14 - Adecco UK has officially signed an agreement to launch the new International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athlete Career Programme (ACP) nationally aiming specifically at Paralympians.

Paralympics GB and Adecco UK signed an agreement to launch the IPC ACP in 2010 on December 15, 2009. In an interview, ACP Manager UK and Director of 2012 partnership (Adecco UK and Ireland) Steve Girdler and Paralympics GB's Jane Jones explained how the programme will benefit all Paralympians as they transition into the workforce.

Ms Jones said that the IPC ACP offers vital practical support to retiring athletes who may be facing employment for the first time in their lives.

"The programme has already helped positively change the lives of Olympic athletes around the world," she said. "Now the many past, present and future Paralympians in Great Britain can benefit too, as well as their employers!"

The programme will be open to around 3,000 Paralympians who are either competing or retired. Through the Adecco UK branch network, Paralympians will be benefitting from the same type of career development and job placement support as the International Olympic Committee's ACP, which is successfully running in 26 different countries.

Mr Girdler said that when attending the BT Paralympic World Cup in May 2009 as a representative from Adecco, he was astounded by the grit, determination, dedication and resilience of the competing athletes.

"These are qualities valued greatly by employers," he said. "So as diversity is a key theme of the Games in London in 2012, we knew we had to make this programme launch for Paralympians happen here."

Ms Jones said that the London 2012 Paralympic Games are a focal point, but the IPC ACP will run before and beyond the event.

"It is very much in line with our concept of 'Team for Life'," she said. "This means that even if you once are a Paralympian representing Great Britain, you are a member of the team for life. Nobody is forgotten once they stop competing; it is a great practical demonstration of long-term support."

The promotion of the IPC ACP will begin toward the end of March. Mr Girdler said that Adecco UK is already underway in communicating the launch of the IPC ACP to prospective employers, including co-sponsors of London 2012, major names such as Coca-Cola, Deloitte, EDF, BMW and many more.

(The End)