Careers built before final whistle

Athletes are being encouraged to prepare for life after sport long before retirement, with a nationwide programme helping them gain trade qualifications while continuing to compete.

The initiative, run by the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO), provides athletes with apprenticeships, industry experience and nationally recognised qualifications, which can be completed alongside their sporting commitments.

BCITO national business development advisor for sport, Jeremy Benton, said the programme was designed to give athletes a long-term career pathway without forcing them to choose between sport and work.

“We help athletes gain qualifications, apprenticeships and real-world industry experience while continuing to play the sport they love,” Benton said.

The programme aims to create a Plan B for athletes by equipping them with skills for careers in the construction and trades sector, an industry Benton said values many of the same qualities developed through sport, including discipline, teamwork and consistency.

Recognising the demanding schedules of high-performance athletes, BCITO Sport offers flexible training that allows participants to start at any time rather than waiting for traditional semester intakes.

“The majority of apprenticeships are completed within two to three years, although some qualifications, such as carpentry, can take up to four years. Training is primarily apprenticeship-based,” Benton said.

The programme currently supports athletes across a range of sports, including rugby, cricket, football, netball, basketball, hockey and rugby league.

While many participants compete at elite level, the initiative is not limited to professional athletes. BCITO Sport also partners with high-performance organisations, including Super Rugby franchises, as well as community clubs and schools.

Benton said the programme continued to expand into new sports and regions to help more young New Zealanders establish sustainable careers both during and after their time in sport.

“One of the biggest misconceptions is that career planning can wait until an athlete’s sporting career ends,” he said.

“In reality, the most successful athletes often start building their future early. That’s what BCITO Sport is all about.”