London 2012 Offers Job Opportunities for Students

Public Services students at Walsall College are currently undertaking training that will give them the opportunity to work as part of the London 2012 Olympics security team.

Students taking part in the Bridging the Gap (BtG) project at Walsall College have a once in a lifetime job opportunity. All BtG students are guaranteed an interview to apply for work at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games whilst they work towards a professional security industry qualification.

The BtG project is free to join and is currently being offered by around 80 further education colleges across the country, each providing students with specialist qualifications to work as part of a highly trained and motivated workforce to help support the venue security operation at the Games. The project is directly inspired by the security requirements for London 2012 and aims to address the ongoing skills shortage in the security industry.

Students enrolled on a Level 2 Door Supervision qualification will be will be guaranteed an interview with G4S, the security contractor appointed by the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) to manage in-venue security requirements at the Games. If they are successful, they will perform a range of duties to ensure spectator safety as well as having a qualification to enable them to get other paid employment in the security and events industry afterwards.

The BtG project is supported by the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), with the additional support of The Home Office and the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) and the Security Industry Association (SIA).

Sir Ian Johnston, Director of Security at LOCOG said: “We urge students to sign up to www.bridging-the-gap.co.uk for this once in a lifetime opportunity to work at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Bridging the Gap will equip those on the project to work at the Games next year but also move on to other areas afterwards. This will boost the professionalism of the private security sector by putting it on a firm academic footing.”

Helen Brooks, Curriculum Manager for Public Services at Walsall College said: “Our students are delighted to have the chance to complete this additional training that will give them access to a once in a lifetime opportunity to work at the Olympic Games. Our students take part in work experience at events in the College and local community throughout their courses in order to gain valuable experience that they will take with them as they begin their careers in the public services industry”.

Public Services student, Tolleita Luton said: “Taking part in the Bridging the Gap project is really exciting! It’s a different challenge for me and it will give me some great experiences for my future career”.

This innovative project is intended to accelerate the increase of standards and professional skills in the security industry and become a legacy of the Games for the industry and the UK in the long term.