The aim of this project was to contribute to the development of the vocational education and training (VET) system by creating a dual career concept for athletes in Slovakia. We wanted to formulate recommendations for stakeholders to enable transformation and changes at organizational and sectoral levels in the VET field, taking into account labor market needs and employment services aimed at athletes during and after their active sports careers. The main output of the project was a proposal for a dual career concept for athletes, which would include legislative proposals aimed at increasing employability, recognizing qualifications, and skills acquired through formal and non-formal education during and after an active sports career. This output also fulfills the project's goal of creating a dual career concept for athletes, based on recommendations from the European Commission and experiences from Slovenia, containing recommendations for various sectors - government organizations, sports associations, VET providers, employment service providers, career counselors, and other relevant entities.
We decided to apply for this project because athletes often face challenges in combining their sports careers with education or work. Achieving the highest level in sports requires intensive training and competitions at both national and international levels, which is often difficult to reconcile with the demands of the educational system and the labor market. Athletes need special arrangements to avoid situations where they have to choose between education and sports or work and sports. The project's goal was to create a flexible and practical approach to dual careers, ensuring that athletes have the opportunity to educate themselves or work during their sports careers while also supporting their transition to new careers after sports. The project also aimed to protect and support athletes' status. Our need was to ensure that athletes are not at a disadvantage in the labor market, to enhance the quality of education and support services for young people involved in elite sports, and to prepare a system that supports the employability of athletes after their sports careers. Through this project, we aimed to promote innovations in vocational education and training (VET), improve athletes' transition to the labor market.