SPORT4E – Skills through sport for Employability and Entrepreneurship EN
Introduction
The third Work Package (WP3) of the SPORT4E – Skills through sport for Employability and Entrepreneurship – project focuses on creating an online training course in the form of Open Educational Resources (OER), specifically designed for coaches and sports instructors. The primary objective is to empower these professionals with essential competencies needed to successfully enter the job market. Furthermore, the course aims to enable them to effectively impart these vital skills to athletes through sports activities.
Objective of the SPORT4E Training Course
At the core of this training program is the empowerment of coaches and sports instructors. The course aims to provide a comprehensive platform for developing both “hard” and “soft” skills necessary to navigate the challenges of the job market effectively. Through this training, coaches will acquire not only technical skills but also relational and transversal skills essential for professional success.
Distinguishing between “Hard” and “Soft” Skills
Within the context of SPORT4E project, we recognize the importance of distinguishing between “hard” and “soft” skills. “Hard” skills represent the specific technical knowledge of the sports industry, while “soft” skills encompass aspects such as effective communication, leadership, resilience, and teamwork. Our course focuses on both these aspects, acknowledging the significance of a holistic approach to training.
Importance of Coaches Transmitting Employability Skills to Athletes
Coaches and sport instructors play a crucial role not only in developing athletes’ sports skills but also in preparing them for the world of work. Transmitting employability skills, including the identified “soft” skills, is fundamental to prepare athletes for challenges beyond their sports journey, contributing to their long-term success.
Additionally, in addressing the course objectives, it is crucial to emphasize that the skills targeted by SPORT4E modules are often naturally acquired by athletes through sports. However, athletes may struggle to automatically transfer these skills into the professional or entrepreneurial realm. The key role of coaches is to raise awareness and assume a central role as facilitators, supporting firstly the stabilization of these soft skills and subsequently facilitating their transfer from the world of sports to the realms of work and/or entrepreneurship.
Presentation of Skills Identified through SPORT4E Research
Through the Participatory Action – Research Cycle research conducted within the SPORT4E project, the project consortrium identified a set of 11 key skills, useful to access the labor market and / or develop entrepreneurial paths.
Final Report on Entrepreneurship Skills Availability of Young Athletes
Building upon these 11 identified skills, the consortium has developed 11 distinct training modules aimed at fostering the development of these competencies in coaches and instructors. Through these modules, coaches will gain heightened awareness and proficiency in transmitting these skills to athletes. This facilitation process not only enhances the athletes’ understanding and acquisition of these skills but also eases their transition from the world of sports to that of employment and/or entrepreneurship.
SPORT4E TRAINING MODULES
1. ADAPTABILITY/FLEXIBILITY
2. COMMUNICATION SKILLS
3. EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
4. FINANCIAL LITERACY
5. CREATIVE THINKING: THINK OUT OF THE BOX
6. LEADERSHIP
7. RESILIENCE
8. INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
9. SELF-REFLECTION FOR CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT
10. TEAMWORK
11. DIGITAL LITERACY
Technical Aspects of the Training Program
The SPORT4E training program for coaches and instructors will consist of modules dedicated to each of the identified “soft” skills. These modules will be presented as documents and simplified PowerPoint presentations, easily applicable in practice.
Finally, a knowledge assessment test will be included to evaluate content learning, ensuring that coaches effectively acquire the necessary skills for their success and can transfer them to athletes.