Located on the Olympic Park, the Hub will provide guidance, career support, courses, IT and study space. It will also help ensure that apprentices can continue their training or employment on future projects once they have completed their work on the Olympic Park.
Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell and Minister for Employment Relations Lord Young officially opened the Hub.
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has been working with contractors, colleges and training organisations to boost the number of apprentices working on the Park. In January, it increased its apprenticeship target from 100 to 350, three times the average for the south east.
ODA Chairman John Armitt said:
'We are committed to leaving a jobs and skills legacy that uses the Games as a catalyst to create long-term career opportunities for local and young people. We have set a tough target for apprenticeships and are working hard with our contractors to reach it.’
Jake Vinnicombe lives in Tower Hamlets and achieved a position as a heat and ventilation engineering apprentice working on the Olympic Stadium after completing a BTEC. Jake, who can see the Olympic Park from his flat, said: ‘My friends are jealous that I have the opportunity to work on the site. It’s the biggest site I’ve ever seen and I’m looking forward to learning more.’
