The orientation training sessions form the biggest London 2012 events outside of the Games this year.Attended by 10,000 people, the training was the first of six national orientation events taking place during February and provided an introduction to the heritage of the Games, as well as an insight into what working at London 2012 will be like.
The events are the first stage in the training programme for up to 70,000 Games Makers, the volunteers who will help to make the Games happen. Six smaller regional orientation sessions will also be held in March for Games Makers who have been offered roles at venues outside of London.
Eight million hours
The orientation events are the first time Games Makers will be together following the selection events, and will also be attended by paid London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) staff and contractors.
Games Makers will also receive role-specific training, where they will
learn all they need to know to carry out their role successfully. They
will then receive venue-specific training in June which will familiarise
volunteers with their venue.
By Games time, Games Makers will have collectively undertaken 1.2 million hours of training, and will contribute eight million volunteer hours during London 2012.
'Significant milestone'
LOCOG Chair Seb Coe said: 'Today marks a significant milestone in our preparation for the Games. Our Games Makers will contribute a total of around eight million volunteer hours during the Games and simply wouldn’t happen without them.'
McDonald’s is the Presenting Partner of the Games Maker volunteer programme, which received applications from 250,000 people in 2010. So far 55,000 offers have been made for roles at London 2012, with the final roles expected to be filled in April.
