At the half way point between London winning the bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the opening ceremony in 2012, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has released new figures showing that a total of up to 30,000 people will help build the London 2012 Olympic park and Olympic village over the next few years.

Thousands of job opportunities will be created this year for, among others, bricklayers, wood workers, steel fixers, electricians, security guards, engineers, plumbers, scaffolders, concreters and machine operators as well as administrators and support staff.

As the "big build" accelerates in 2009, the workforce is expected to more than treble from the current level of 3,315 to a peak of 11,000 on the Olympic park and Olympic village in 2010 and approximately 30,000 workers in total over the different phases of the project to 2012.

And the winner is... apprentices!

Exciting news for those looking into vocational education in industry: 250 new dedicated apprenticeship opportunities are to be created on the Olympic park, including the Olympic village, on top of an existing commitment to 2000 training and apprenticeships opportunities.

The latest figures show that, to date, around 7,000 people have worked delivering the progress of the Olympic park and almost one in ten of these has been a trainee or apprentice.

“We are delivering vital business, jobs and training opportunities in a tough time for companies and workers,” says ODA chairman John Armitt. “Maximising apprenticeships on the Olympic park is an important boost to this legacy.”

There are many opportunities available for those currently undertaking apprenticeships or applying in the next year or two, so be sure to step up and ask your line managers and tutors if there are any placements on the site available for you.

We caught up with one lucky construction apprentice, Matthew Stewart, to ask how his on-site experience has been, and what he feels he’s gained from this opportunity.

Hands on experience

Matthew works for BAM Nuttal, and is involved in the restoration of the 2012 Olympic site. This currently involves detecting cables and removing them, however he has also been involved in working on temporary bridges and the disconnection of old buildings.

The opportunity to work on the Olympics site came about after he had finished his two-year college course, and was given the chance to take his placement there.

“The work has been a real mixture of hands-on and paperwork which is very good because a lot of the construction industry depends on paperwork so I think it is great to have gained experience in both departments.

“I think it is fantastic that someone like me can be involved in this: such a massive site with so much going on. I think I have been given a great opportunity to learn new things and develop as an engineer.

“I’ve enjoyed the variation its offered, but the highlight so far was seeing a temporary bridge that I had ordered and set out on-site being erected. This is purely because I had a big part in the job and it was very satisfying to see hard work pay off.”

CV gold

Matthew believes that his placement working on the Olympics build will be a great CV booster and help his career in many different ways.

“One of the most beneficial things from being involved in this project has to be the experience I’ve gained. I also feel I’ve gained a lot of knowledge from all the people I’ve got to work with,” he says.  

Think this might be for you? Well, if you’re already in an apprenticeship, why not ask your manager to be considered if any such openings become available. For those looking into apprenticeships at the moment, why not see if the company you’re considering applying to has any involvement in the project?