Olympic torch fuels UK construction jobs
The London 2012 Olympics are to provide building jobs and construction jobs for over a 1,000 companies in the UK.
A new plan published by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) titled Building for 2012 highlights the number of business opportunities created by the Olympic and Paralympic games. It claims that nearly 1,500 firms are directly benefiting from the numerous construction jobs and civil engineering jobs needed to build the venues and infrastructure for the games.
John Armitt, the chairman of ODA, said: "Thousands of companies across the UK are winning contracts and helping to build the venues and infrastructure needed for the London 2012 games"
"This map is a snapshot of how businesses are benefiting from the investment in the Games project. It shows around 1,500 UK companies from Iverness to Taunton have already won contracts".
Armitt also said that this was likely to be a "mere fraction of what will be the total number".
The ODA has also launched a project to benefit construction job apprentices working on the main Olympic Park site in London. The 120 apprentices at work on the site will be able to make use of the new Apprentice Hub, a facility which will offer professional training and career support.
According to targets set in January, the ODA will be expanding the number of apprentice jobs in construction work at the Olympic park site to 350. John Armitt said: "We are committed to leaving a jobs and skill legacy that uses the games as a catalyst to create long term career opportunities for local and young people".