London Olympics: 10m hours of security work, for starters

More information on the scale of the contingent workforce needed for the London Olympics was revealed at the launch of G4S’s new recruitment centre in Stratford, East London yesterday.

Speaking to journalists, Paul Deighton, chief executive of LOCOG, the London Games Organising Committee, said that the games would require the mobilisation of a contingent workforce of around 180,000.  

The games will generate 10m man-hours of security work alone, said Deighton. However, as he pointed out, security “is just one part” of a much bigger requirement for temporary workers.

Deighton highlighted other areas such as transport and logistics, cleaning, catering and retail that would also require a large temporary workforce.

G4S has already received 34,000 applications for some 10,000 temporary security jobs at the Olympic and Paralympic Games that begin at the end of July.

Deighton’s comments also give an indication of the value of contracts involved in staffing the games. Hourly wage rates for G4S staff working at the games start at £8.50.