Olympic Jobs For Local Residents

Tower Hamlets residents have secured more than 1,700 Games-time jobs with London 2012 contractors – following the council’s deal with LOCOG (London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games) to give the borough’s residents priority access to 1,000 jobs.

So far 1,768 residents have been offered Games-times jobs by LOCOG contractors following a host of successful employment fairs and recruitment activities organised by Skillsmatch, Tower Hamlets council’s job brokerage service, and LOCOG.

Based at London 2012 venues including the Olympic Park, the new jobs will take them right through to the end of the Games in September 2012. Jobs range from catering, hospitality, and security to retail, logistics and cleaning and will provide residents with excellent experience from which to kick start their careers.

Mayor Lutfur Rahman, said: "I have fought for the Games to bring real tangible benefits to the residents of this borough, and these roles are a shining example of the positive impact London 2012 can have on the lives of residents.

"These jobs will not only give residents the opportunity to play their part in delivering the Games, but they will provide them with fantastic skills and work experience that will help them in their career."

Lead Member for Jobs and skills, Councillor Shafiqul Haque, said: "Many of the residents that have successfully gained employment with the LOCOG contractors were previously unemployed. Working during Games-time will give them confidence and skills which they can build upon to help them gain employment in the future."

In addition to jobs, over 65 Tower Hamlets businesses have won contracts to work with the games. One particular Tower Hamlets business will be helping to feed the tens of millions of spectators and thousands of athletes the best of British food during the Games. Sourdough bread from Tower Hamlets, made in a traditional brick oven lined with peat from the Thames, will be on the menu.

In February 2011, an agreement was signed between Tower Hamlets and LOCOG to help the borough maximise the benefits of London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games for residents and businesses. The key areas of the agreement included employment, business, education and culture.

As part of the agreement Tower Hamlets residents were given priority access to at least 1,000 opportunities - this has resulted in 1,768 residents so far being offered a games time role, in addition to the 249 local people already working for LOCOG.

(GK)