The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) today announced that its recently appointed security guarding contractor will work with the ODA and five Host Boroughs to help local residents access the new jobs created by plans to increase the security of the Olympic Park.
As part of a strategy to enhance the security and safety of the Olympic Park site as work accelerates, G4S Security Services UK has been appointed to provide security guarding. The company aims to train and employ local residents to help it fulfil the contract, which runs up to the start of the London 2012 Games, and to provide long term career opportunities after 2012.
All security guarding opportunities will be advertised in the local media around the Olympic Park and through the local Job Centre plus network and host borough job brokerage services. All Olympic Park security guards will then be trained to achieve Security Industry Authority accreditation and the Construction Skills Certification as well as further specialised security training.
The new security guarding service will help ensure that the Olympic Park is safe and secure for the workforce and local people from this autumn as construction work increases on the Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre, Olympic Village and infrastructure projects. Over 2500 workers are on site at present, building to 4000 at the end of the year.
Further measures to increase the security and safety of the Olympic Park, which will be phased in during the course of this year, include:
the replacement of the temporary hoardings that currently surround the Olympic Park with a more substantial perimeter fence starting later this year.
procurement is underway of both a vehicle and people screening contractor, access control systems and a package of perimeter security systems and functions.
ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: 'As we enter the Big Build phase it is essential that we phase in robust and effective plans to ensure the security and safety of both the Olympic Park workforce – which will number around 9,000 at peak - and the surrounding communities.
'A professional and appropriate security service is a crucial component of these plans but will also contribute to the London 2012 legacy by creating opportunities for local people to gain training, jobs and long term career development.'
Notes to editors:
1. During the cleaning and clearing of the Olympic Park an interim security guarding service has been provided by contractors and overseen by the ODA.
2. G4S Security Services were appointed following a highly competitive procurement process, launched at two packed industry days at the start of the year. The company has experience providing security guarding services to a range of Government departments and agencies, locations including the 02 Arena and Ascot and events including Wimbledon and political party conferences.
3. The ODA hopes to appoint an access control systems contractor by the autumn with the systems up and running by early 2009, a vehicle and people screening contractor next year ready to start work on site and a provider of perimeter security systems and functions by early 2009.
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For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 700.
The construction of the venues and infrastructure of the London 2012 Games is funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency.
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