A new initiative led by BCS and JLB Search aims to support athletes in moving from sports to careers in the data centre industry, addressing a growing skills shortage.
A groundbreaking initiative has been launched to aid athletes transitioning from their sports careers into the burgeoning data centre industry. This innovative programme is the product of a collaboration between BCS, a leading services provider in the digital infrastructure sector, and JLB Search, a prominent global search firm with expertise in sport, media, and entertainment. The initiative will be spearheaded by former England rugby player and international referee, Holly Wood.
The Athlete Career Transition Programme is a bespoke scheme aimed at mitigating the skills shortage currently facing the data centre sector. This shortage is particularly pressing given global concerns that the rapid pace of AI adoption could be hampered by insufficient data centre facilities and a scarcity of skilled professionals to manage them. The programme is part of BCS’s broader commitment to industry talent development, building on their existing apprenticeships and graduate initiatives.
Athletes nearing the end of their professional sporting careers will benefit from the programme through tailored guidance, comprehensive skills mapping, and access to full-time career opportunities at BCS. The roles on offer range from Project Management and Cost Management to Quantity Surveying, Accountancy, Business Operations, and Human Resources. Participants will receive personalised development plans designed to harness their existing skills and prepare them for success in their new roles.
Prominent athletes who have already joined BCS through this initiative include Will Edwards, ex-England rugby player now working in Cost Management, Yasmin Campell, a GB Fencer transitioned to Business Operations, Egli Kaja, a professional footballer appointed as a Project Manager, and Mahima Attreya, an international swimmer who has taken on a role in HR.
Jim Hart, CEO of BCS, expressed enthusiasm about the programme, stating, “This unique programme reflects our lateral thinking and determination to find the next generation of senior managers for our fast-growing sector. It has really opened our eyes to this untapped pool of incredible talent which we believe has a unique skillset which enables them to thrive in business settings, such as teamwork, leadership, adaptability, resilience, and discipline. We will be teaming successful candidates with the right mentors from within our business to nurture and develop them to create lasting, impactful careers.”
Holly Wood, consultant at JLB Search, highlighted the challenges athletes face when transitioning to new professional environments. She noted, “This programme is close to my heart as I have seen first-hand the challenges that athletes face when moving from the world of elite sport to new professional arenas. We have had an incredible response to this programme with over 1200 applications in the first 3 months alone. BCS is absolutely the right choice of partner for us due to our shared values of integrity, diversity, and a people-first approach. Both organisations believe in the power of talent transformation, and together we will help athletes harness their unique qualities and apply them to a new career. The collaboration reflects our dedication to empowering individuals to achieve their full potential in life after sport.”
The programme’s promising start with a substantial number of applicants indicates a strong interest and potential for this untapped talent. As BCS and JLB Search move forward, their collaboration aims to provide an effective pathway for former athletes to transition successfully into the rapidly-evolving world of data centres, leveraging their sporting discipline and skills in new business contexts.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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- https://jlbsearch.com/about-jlb-search/ – Corroborates JLB Search’s expertise in sport, media, and entertainment, and their global reach.
- https://www.athletecareertransition.com/athletes – Supports the concept of athlete career transition programs and the challenges athletes face in transitioning to new professional environments.
- https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/10/04/athlete-career-transition – Provides context on Athlete Career Transition programs and their collaborations with companies to create transition programs for athletes.
- https://jlbsearch.com/about-jlb-search/ – Details Holly Wood’s role as a consultant at JLB Search and her background as a former England rugby player and international referee.
- https://jlbsearch.com/about-jlb-search/ – Highlights JLB Search’s approach to recruitment and their commitment to diversity and a people-first approach.
- https://www.athletecareertransition.com/athletes – Explains the importance of tailored guidance, skills mapping, and access to full-time career opportunities in athlete transition programs.
- https://jlbsearch.com/about-jlb-search/ – Mentions JLB Search’s ability to deliver quality recruitment with a consultative approach, relevant to their collaboration with BCS.
- https://www.athletecareertransition.com/athletes – Discusses the unique skillset athletes bring to business settings, such as teamwork, leadership, adaptability, resilience, and discipline.
- https://jlbsearch.com/about-jlb-search/ – Corroborates JLB Search’s strong existing relationships and market expertise, which are crucial for the success of the Athlete Career Transition Programme.
- https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/10/04/athlete-career-transition – Provides evidence of the high interest in athlete transition programs, such as the significant number of applications received.
- https://jlbsearch.com/about-jlb-search/ – Supports the collaboration between JLB Search and other organizations to empower athletes to achieve their full potential in life after sport.
