Notizie sull'FSE

Olympic qualifying round

10/08/2012

ESF at the Olympics: boosting qualifications for unemployed Games volunteers

In the United Kingdom, the Olympic Games organisers have teamed up with the ESF project ‘Personal Best’ to improve the professional qualifications of Olympic games volunteers. ‘Personal Best’ is a nationwide programme involving community and voluntary groups to support those furthest from the jobs market. Participants were guaranteed an interview with the Olympic organising committee, and many were taken on as volunteers in roles dealing with aspects such as drug control, transport and team leading. Significantly, by taking part, all ‘Personal Best’ volunteers can gain a national qualification in ‘Principles of Customer Service’, with sponsorship support from McDonalds. After the Games, this can then be turned into a City and Guilds qualification which opens doors to careers in the services and hospitality sector. Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the Olympic Organising Committee, praised the initiative saying: “It will give the volunteers the opportunity to learn new, practical and relevant skills that they can put to use long after the Games have left London.”