Having undertaken two courses and an interview, over 40 students have just one day of training left before they have the chance to spend their summer holiday working at The Games. Their training has been provided by specialist companies; G4S who are in charge of security for the Olympics and Number 4 Group who are based in the midlands and deal with security for large events.
Eddy Isles, the Number4 Group’s Operations Director, reported that:
“We were able to collaborate, with the College, in staging a one week security course that involved well over 150 students in three different locations. It was a genuine pleasure for our delivery team to meet such a broad range of young students, particularly as they were such willing participants, keen to learn and enthusiastic.”
The course involved learning about security measures and issues. Plus there was training for working with x-ray machines, searching bags and vehicles and doing perimeter checks.
“The course culminated with formal examinations and with a pass rate in excess of 85% we consider the whole event to have been a great success.”
G4S supplied the door supervision course and also conducted interviews where students were asked of their skills, experiences and what role they would like to take on.
Kerrie Beardsall, 19, studies BTEC Diploma in Travel and Tourism at Newark College. Kerrie has progressed through the course so far and commented;
“I’m looking forward to the whole experience and living in London for a while. Even if I don’t get to go at the end, I still have the qualifications to get into another similar job in the future.”
Lydia Smith, 19, also studies BTEC Diploma in Travel and Tourism. She stated;
“You get to work at the Olympics, see London and it will look good on your CV.”
The students will benefit greatly as they gain work experience and qualifications that can be helpful later in life. They get paid for the work they do, as well as free food and accommodation.
The London Organising Committee of Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has invested more than £1million into Bridging the Gap to give young people skills, training and a fantastic short term job. LOCOG also hoped to give the industry of security a boost as recruitment in the sector is low.
