The first of the young people participating in the Construction Crew programme have now graduated.Twenty local schoolchildren, aged 10, took part in the project and learned about the different aspects of building the Olympic Park’s venues and infrastructure.
They also had the chance to discuss the programme with key figures, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell, as part of their role.
The Construction Crew programme aims to develop leadership skills by encouraging the children to share with their classmates what they have learned about different areas of the project, including sustainability, archaeology and London 2012 employment and skills opportunities.
Olympic Champion Jonathan Edwards congratulated the children on their graduation. He said: ‘When the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games open in 2012 and, indeed, beyond 2012 when they are walking through the Olympic Park, they are going to be able to turn to their friends and family and say – “I was there”. It’s a great scheme and I hope this experience was useful and inspiring for them.’
