Being a top athlete requires discipline and an extensive training routine. This often leaves little time for sports men and women to develop skills in fields outside their sporting careers. To help with this, SPAR Austria has created a three-year training programme to help athletes gain experience working in the food retail industry.

Eight young professional skiers from the Austrian Ski Association have signed up to take part in the programme, which has been tailored to meet their individual needs. The athletes are able to maintain their training routines whilst gaining valuable work experience.

Commenting on the programme, Fritz Poppmeier, Human Resources Director at SPAR Austria said: “This training programme benefits both the trainees and SPAR. Through the working experience the athletes gain at SPAR, they are prepared for entry into the working world. SPAR on the other hand benefits from having these motivated and enthusiastic employees on board.”

Customised training

The trainees follow a three-year programme in a part of the SPAR business that appeals to them most. They learn about the company and the food retail industry and get involved in a number of interesting projects. Through numerous internal and external seminars, the trainees gain additional knowledge, which can be used in day-to-day work.

Support from mentors  

The trainees can choose the area they want to gain experience in, be it Marketing, Distribution or Human Resources. At the start of the programme, SPAR connects each trainee with a professional mentor, who serves as a tutor and adviser throughout their training.

With this unique programme, SPAR Austria has once again proven its pioneering role as an employer of choice.