ODA will train people in construction skills needed for Olympic building work

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Olympic Minister, Tessa Jowell officially opened a new training centre at the Olympic site near Stratford, earlier this week.

It is hoped that people trained at the centre will go on to work in the some of the estimated 10,000 construction jobs that will be created during the peak of the Olympic build in 2009/10.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) said: “The new Plant Training Centre will deliver practical training, tailored to the Olympic Park project, on equipment such as dumpers, telescopic handlers and excavators.”

Contractors such as Murphy, Morrison and Edmund Nuttall will work closely with the centre to identify the skills needed to be taught. The centre aims to train up to 200 people a year and provide them with skills they can use in their careers both during and after Olympic construction.”

Tessa Jowell commented that: “Everyone understands the physical legacy from hosting the Games in 2012 ““ new sports facilities, a new urban park and new homes. But just as important is the legacy for thousands of people who will acquire skills enabling them to get jobs in the Olympic park and then work for the rest of their lives.”

The first trainees have already graduated the centre after training in 360° excavation and forward tipping.

The Plant Training Centre is just one aspect of the ODA’s Employment and Skills Strategy which was launched at the centre’s opening on Tuesday. The strategy, “London 2012 Jobs” sets out how the ODA will work with public and private sector partners to recruit the workers needed in the run up to 2012. The strategy has set a target of creating 2,000 trainees, apprenticeships and work placements on the Olympic Park.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the Olympics will “offer the opportunity not only to showcase sporting talent to its full, but also to promote a range of skills and talents in the local community. The job figures and the ODA employment and skills strategy published today show that the construction of the site can be the catalyst for lasting social and economic change. With over 10 per cent of the current Olympic Park workforce previously out of work an excellent start has been made.”

Marie Kemplay