Olympic Games 2012: Employment

Mr. Hayes
To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many people working on 2012 Olympic Games construction projects are on apprenticeships; and what proportion of the workforce this represents.

Tessa Jowell
The latest figures show that there are currently over 2,700 people working on the Olympic sites. 74 of these are trainees or apprentices; this represents 2 per cent. of the work force. However, as part of a wider programme to improve the skills and employment levels in East London and beyond, the Olympic Delivery Authority and partners are aiming for a target of at least 2,000 people into apprenticeships and work placements up to 2012.