This research builds on an examination of evidence from previous Olympic and Paralympic (and Commonwealth) Games, and on evidence from other large-scale regeneration projects, to provide a broad indication of the employment, skills and training requirements of the 2012 Games.

A large element of the study has involved an examination of the existing literature, but this has been supplemented by additional primary consultation, to consider the benefits of holding events such as the Games on local communities, and to gather examples of best practice in skills and employment training.

It is envisaged that this research will inform the work of the London 2012 Employment & Skills Taskforce, supported by the LSC and LDA and established as a government/Mayoral initiative as the primary vehicle for planning a collaborative approach to maximise the employment benefits of hosting the Games for Londoners.

Literature reviews of the previous four Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney and Athens, and also the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games have been utilized for this research.

The research also drew on consultations, particularly those with representatives from LOCOG and the ODA to gather their views on expected job numbers. Discussions with CITB-ConstructionSkills and Mace Ltd were conducted to provide a detailed breakdown of construction jobs into occupations and an estimate of their phasing.

The overall view of the research is that while the direct and mechanistic impacts of the Games are important, policy should be concerned as much with using the Games as a lever or catalyst as with the direct implications. This means that larger scale skills and employment issues need to be addressed, alongside Games-specific initiatives.

London Learning and Skills Council and the London Development Agency
londoninfo@lsc.gov.uk

//

//2006

Experian Business Strategies

research

Urban Policy

Economy knowledge & employment, Urban environment