Gateway Grad Program connects athletes with Pan Am jobs
Looking to help university athletes transition to the corporate world, the team organizing the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games (TO2015) has launched a program to help university graduates.
The Gateway Grad Program will provide jobs and opportunities for recent graduating athletes or students of sport-related programs, working with Ontario University Athletics.
“We expect these new hires to take on meaningful responsibilities, jump in and learn by doing with support and guidance from the best in our senior management team,” said Ian Troop, CEO of TO2015.
The Gateway Grad program will welcome new applicants in 2012 and in the years leading up to the Games, to support growing entry level staffing needs. Successful candidates receive a competitive entry-level market wage and benefits. Strong performers are encouraged to apply for available vacancies as the TO2015 team expands.
“The Gateway Grad program is a fantastic way to keep student athletes involved in sport past their post-secondary education, said Gord Grace, president of Ontario University Athletics. “It echoes our Champions for Life campaign where student athletes continue their success from the field and the class room into life after university.”
Interested graduates who succeed in the competitive evaluation process are granted a two-year, full-time entry-level employment contract to help plan, organize and deliver the multi-sport games. Each Gateway Grad is teamed with an executive or managerial mentor committed to providing professional development opportunities.
More than 40 people applied for the inaugural 2010 program and 10 placements were awarded.
“This is an especially rewarding career opportunity to groom the future leaders of Canadian and international sport from young elite athletes who have already demonstrated outstanding leadership in their sport,” said Margarett Best, minister of health promotion and sport.
