PHPA

Career Enhancement Program (CEP)

Professional hockey players, like all elite athletes, are ultimately faced with one of their biggest challenges, a transition from their playing days into "real world" areas following retirement from hockey. While a very limited number of former athletes are able to cash in on their athletic reputations, most find themselves looking for employment just like the rest of the population.

If the player has carefully handled the finances that resulted from his hockey successes, it may provide him with the resources to create career opportunities. But many still require the guidance to gain a focus in selecting a career path that best meets their interests, needs, values, and skills. In response to this need, the PHPA took a very proactive approach by developing and implementing the Career Enhancement Program (CEP), where its Members may voluntarily participate in developing this career "focus" or "game plan", and begin preparations, while playing, to make the smooth transition to a successful "Life After Hockey".

The CEP program, along with its many academic and training partners, acts as a liaison and resource for the players to take advantage of educational opportunities, certified training, or other job-related skills prior to their decision to retire. This support ranges primarily from:

Improving level of education
Refining job readiness skills (résumés and cover letters, interview techniques)
Learning the fundamentals of running a small business
Achieving professional certification as firefighters, real estate agents, personal trainers, financial planners, etc.

Many PHPA Members and alumni have taken the initiative to plan for this life-altering experience, and the voluntary steps have begun to gradually develop other areas of their life besides hockey and shift their personal priorities in the process.

For more information on the Career Enhancement Program, please contact Rick Gorman, CEP Coordinator at rgorman@phpa.com or 905-682-4800.