Adecco are today reporting a significant increase in the number of job vacancies being advertised by employers looking for workers for the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games. The new year has brought with it a dramatic rise in the number and range of employment opportunities available on the Job Board, as businesses look to recruit their Games time workforce well in advance of the Games. It is estimated that thousands of roles will need to be filled in the run up to the Games, as official London 2012 contractors, suppliers and sponsors boost their workforces to provide services to visitors, officials and competitors.

www.jobsforthegames.co.uk is a Job Board powered by Adecco, the official recruitment services provider to the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). This is where many contractor jobs will be advertised and where candidates need to register in order to apply for vacancies. Over the past 5 weeks, Adecco has seen a 51% increase in the number of candidates registering and applying for positions. Each job advertised on the Job Board can represent a huge volume of available positions – for instance, a single job advertisement can cover several hundred available positions.

Adecco have also launched their ‘Summer Jobs of a Lifetime’ website www.summerjobs.jobsforthegames.co.uk which is aimed primarily at students wanting to take advantage of the unique opportunity to work at the Games. The summer jobs opportunities are perfect for students, who will receive invaluable experience whilst also being involved in the biggest sporting event on the planet.

Many London 2012 contractors have already seen an overwhelming response to the advertisements they have placed on the Job Board. jobsforthegames.co.uk uses sophisticated technology to generate high volumes of applicants, ensuring that those contractors needing large numbers of non-skilled workers for the Games are able to recruit the staff they need to deliver their services at Olympic venues. However, the site is also aiming to target individuals for skilled positions, ensuring that those employers (typically official suppliers) looking for technical or specialist workers are only notified about the most suitable candidates.

The most sought after job functions for the Games will be in Catering, Security and Cleaning and housekeepers. There are vacancies in London, Weymouth and also in host cities across the UK such as Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff and Newcastle.

Steve Girdler, Director of 2012 Partnership, Adecco Group, said, “We see the Games as a catalyst for change and believe that the opportunities that are available for all workers, irrespective of experience or skills, can have a positive and lasting effect on the UK economy. The range of jobs available means that there are opportunities for just about anybody in the UK and I would urge people to visit www.jobsforthegames.co.uk to explore the opportunities available and to register their interest.”

Paul Deighton, Chief Executive of LOCOG, said: “The London 2012 Games will provide once-in-a-lifetime employment opportunities for both skilled and non-skilled workers and represents a fantastic way for people to gain valuable work experience. Successful applicants can play their part in helping put on the greatest sporting events whilst at the same time giving their CVs a significant boost.”