School leavers can get first step on employment ladder at international competition

Stoke-on-Trent's school leavers can take their first steps into theworld of work by landing a place working on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Get Ahead School Leavers' Programme offers young people leaving school or college the chance to work at the London 2012 Organising Committee. A range of business administration roles are on offer in departments including Technology, Human Resources,Games Services and Games Operations. As well as learning new skills successful candidates will be able to study at a local college to gainan NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration.

Applications for the 2011 in take are open now and close at the endof February 2011. The programme will start in August 2011 and runthrough to September 2012.

To qualify, young people must:
• Be in possession of a valid UK or EU passport or have the right to work in the UK;
• Have achieved five GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C or above,including Maths and English;
• Have, or are expecting to achieve at least two A2 level qualifications (or equivalent) this academic year;
• Have gained some work experience;
• Have been involved in community-based volunteering programmes;
• Have working knowledge of Microsoft Office;
• Have a passion for sport, culture and everything the London 2012 Games represents;
• Display a high level of enthusiasm and a willingness and ability tolearn on the job; and
• Be a self-starter.

Hannah Corbett from Staffordshire works in the Human Resources team after entering a previous recruitment drive. She said:

"I had worked on the Olympics for a long time as I was a YoungAmbassador and so knew just what a positive and inspiring impact the Olympics and Paralympic Games had on people.

"I have started a whole new independent way of life. I have met so many amazing and inspiring people and learnt so much. You don't have to be the best sportsman or woman in the world to besuccessful through the Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Councillor Hazel Lyth, cabinet member for adult social care, sport,leisure and culture, said: "We must encourage all our city's young people to strive for the best when it comes to their education andfuture careers. To be able to take a first step into the working world on something which generates a global audience is an exciting prospect and one which should be grasped with both hands. With ahuge wealth of young talent in Stoke-on-Trent our city can play arole to make the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics a trulymemorable experience."

The offices are based at Canary Wharf, East London, and are separate to the Olympic Park. For further information contactVanessa Darlington 01782 236156.