London Olympics to create tens of thousands of job opportunities

LONDON - Tens of thousands of job opportunities will be created by the 2012 London Olympic Games, according to the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

A huge workforce will be needed to ensure the Games are a success, LOCOG said in a recent report.

By the opening of the Games, the London 2012 Olympics will have around 6,000 paid staff, up to 70,000 volunteers and around 100,000 paid contractors.

Tens of thousands of contractor opportunities and around 4,000 positions with LOCOG will be available over the next six months.

A large percentage of the posts will be short-term opportunities lasting from April 2012 to the closing of the Games. London 2012 Ceremonies Ltd will also have around 350 posts available.

There will be many opportunities for students. Inspired by the Games, the Bridging the Gap scheme will provide students with a springboard for future careers in the security sector. On the completion of the required security qualification, students will be guaranteed an interview for a post at the Games with G4S, the official security provider for London 2012.

The Summer Jobs of a Lifetime website, run by London 2012's official recruitment services provider Adecco, will be an important recruitment channel for contractors and allows students to register their interest in working for the Games.

Sponsors, suppliers and other businesses seeking additional staff also provide a wide variety of job opportunities.

"It is clear that the London 2012 Olympic Games are a key accelerator for job opportunities in multiple domains, among them the creative industry," said Gilles Albaredes, managing director of Crystal CG international, the official digital imaging services supplier to the Games.

"For Crystal CG, our direct participation in London 2012 Olympic Games allows us to attract unique talents to the company, both on a permanent and freelancer basis."

Colin Stanbridge, chief executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said LOCOG's announcement was further evidence of the vast array of benefits the Games will bring about.

"In a week where we have heard the announcement of a big rise in unemployment in the UK, this welcome news provides some comfort that opportunities for growth and job creation do still exist in the UK economy," he told China Daily.

"It will be an excellent addition to anyone's CV and a unique opportunity to do something fulfilling, exciting and fun," said Hugh Robertson, minister for the Olympics.

"This is chance for thousands of people to play their part in a little bit of history."

Jobs with LOCOG will be available in areas such as customer service, hospitality, operations, facilities management and administration.

The opportunities with contractors will be in areas such as catering, cleaning, security, transport, event stewarding and retail.