The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) published new figures showing that the Olympic Park work force has broken 3,000 as the project gears up to accelerate the 'big build' of venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 Games and legacy in 2009.

The Olympic Stadium and Aquatics Centre are rising from the ground ahead of schedule, piling work is complete on the first three blocks of the Olympic Village and work is underway on vital infrastructure across the park including the Energy Centre, Substation and roads and bridges. Work is also on track to start on the foundations of the VeloPark and IBC/MPC in spring 2009 as well as the creation of the Games and legacy parklands.

The 'big build', one of the biggest and most complex construction projects in Europe, continues to provide a lasting legacy for some of the most deprived areas of east London by providing local and previously unemployed people access to training and jobs on the Olympic Park. The figures also show that the workforce reflects the diversity of the population in the areas around the Olympic Park and London as a whole.


The Olympic Park figures include for the first time nationality details, which employees are required to demonstrate as part of rigorous Olympic Park procedures to ensure their work status and health and safety credentials. The latest Greater London Authority statistics showed that residents of the five Olympic Park host boroughs that were born outside of the UK range from between 22% to 44%.

The ODA works closely with the UK Borders Agency (UKBA) to ensure people working on the Olympic Park site are legally entitled to do so. The induction process for Olympic Park workers includes on site UKBA representatives meeting workers to check employment status documentation.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: "We are on track to complete the 'big build: foundations' by next summer and construction is set to accelerate into 2009. It is essential we have a well equipped and trained workforce in place to deliver the venues and infrastructure on time and safely. It is also important that we continue to cement a London 2012 employment legacy by ensuring local and previously unemployed people are accessing jobs and training on the Olympic Park which is being created in one of the most diverse communities in the country."

(CD/JM)