Dual Career combining education and sports
Published on 28 August 2020
Finland
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
All over the world top athletes face difficulties after their active athletic careers are over. Many have solely focused on pursuing their athletic careers and have not prepared in any way for the life after the career, which puts them in risk of social exclusion.
Lapland’s Dual Career model makes it possible for students to have flexible individual educational paths in order to combine athletic training and studies. The model benefits students that aim for or already have an athletic career. It makes it possible to study and train simultaneously. The model also supports regional economy by strengthening regional knowledge base and increasing attractiveness.
Dual Career model is based on recognising non-formal and informal learning and identifying skills gained from sport. The focus is on 8 competences of which 5 are generic competences driven from sports itself. The key is in understanding what skills sports teaches and how those skills are identified and put to use in working life:
1. Learning skills
2. Ethical skills & Accountability
3. Work community skills
4. Innovation skills
5. International skills
The remaining 3 competences are driven from the educational programme:
1. Physical education pedagogy
2. Wellness coaching
3. Sports coaching
The model has been created by Lapland University of Applied Sciences together with Lapland Sports Academy. It has also been developed in interregional collaboration, making student exchange possible for athletes.
Lapland’s Dual Career model makes it possible for students to have flexible individual educational paths in order to combine athletic training and studies. The model benefits students that aim for or already have an athletic career. It makes it possible to study and train simultaneously. The model also supports regional economy by strengthening regional knowledge base and increasing attractiveness.
Dual Career model is based on recognising non-formal and informal learning and identifying skills gained from sport. The focus is on 8 competences of which 5 are generic competences driven from sports itself. The key is in understanding what skills sports teaches and how those skills are identified and put to use in working life:
1. Learning skills
2. Ethical skills & Accountability
3. Work community skills
4. Innovation skills
5. International skills
The remaining 3 competences are driven from the educational programme:
1. Physical education pedagogy
2. Wellness coaching
3. Sports coaching
The model has been created by Lapland University of Applied Sciences together with Lapland Sports Academy. It has also been developed in interregional collaboration, making student exchange possible for athletes.
Resources needed
Teaching and tutoring resource: identifying skills gained from sport and helping students understand informal learning and to recognise skills gained from sport.
Lapland UAS has developed the practice through several projects both regional and interregional. Project funding in total approx. 300 000
Lapland UAS has developed the practice through several projects both regional and interregional. Project funding in total approx. 300 000
Evidence of success
Approx. 300 athletes in Lapland, both from secondary level and higher level education, take part in Dual Career.
In spring 2019 sport studies had the largest amount of applicants in Lapland UAS. During more than a decade of dual career development attitudes and methods have developed enormously. European athletes as students (EAS) network holds an annual congress on Dual Career thematic. EU Commission has funded projects in the thematic and Dual Career is recognised in Erasmus studies.
In spring 2019 sport studies had the largest amount of applicants in Lapland UAS. During more than a decade of dual career development attitudes and methods have developed enormously. European athletes as students (EAS) network holds an annual congress on Dual Career thematic. EU Commission has funded projects in the thematic and Dual Career is recognised in Erasmus studies.
Potential for learning or transfer
In the dual career model sports and education can be combined effectively. It prevents the social exclusion of athletes and makes it possible to recognise skills that sports develop. At the same time it develops the skills and knowledge that support local RDI activities.
The Dual Career model can be transferred to other regions and universities. What it needs is changing of attitudes on organisational levels which may take time. The recognition of non-formal and informal learning can be applied to any sector. There are multiple ways of lifelong learning.
The Dual Career model can be transferred to other regions and universities. What it needs is changing of attitudes on organisational levels which may take time. The recognition of non-formal and informal learning can be applied to any sector. There are multiple ways of lifelong learning.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Lapland University of Applied Sciences
Finland
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi
Contact
Project manager