Birmingham 2022 launches recruitment drive for thousands of jobs

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games are urging people to register their interest in the tens of thousands job opportunities that will become available between now and the Games.

The recruitment drive has been launched today to encourage people to register their interest in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of the biggest event ever to take place in Birmingham and the West Midlands.

To ensure Birmingham 2022 is a success, a huge workforce of people will be needed. Over 20,000 roles are available with contractors, with an additional 600 job opportunities during the Games within the Birmingham 2022 organising committee itself.

The wide range of jobs are available, lasting from three months to three weeks, with roles in security, stewarding, catering, cleaning, retail and logistics and many more opportunities to help the Games run smoothly. The majority of roles available don’t need formal experience or qualifications, and full training will be provided.

Birmingham 2022 is working with the Jobs and Skills Academy, launched by the West Midlands Combined Authority to provide training for and to improve the skills of local people for these roles. The Jobs and Skills Academy are investing £5 million to train unemployed residents to take advantage of Games time roles and have already, over the last 12 months, trained over 4000 unemployed people to help build the talent pool in the workforce.

Applicants must be aged 18 or above by 1 April 2022 and should register their interest at www.birmingham2022.com/jobs to find out more.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The Commonwealth Games was always about so much more than medals and athletes, and it is this legacy of jobs and improved opportunities that made me so determined to help land this global event for our region.

“It is therefore brilliant to see that thousands of opportunities are on offer through the Games, especially as these roles have become even more critical given the pandemic has left many people out of work and others worried about their future. To support this, the WMCA is making more than £5m available through our Jobs and Skills Academy to help anyone who is interested in taking on a role during the Commonwealth Games.

“Not only will this training help people secure roles during the Games, but the skills they learn will also set them up for future careers, ensuring we do provide a proper lasting legacy for people across the West Midlands.”

Andrew Newman, Director of Workforce at Birmingham 2022 said: “Each and every one of these roles will provide someone with a unique opportunity to be part of the biggest event ever to be held in the West Midlands and without them, Birmingham 2022 simply wouldn’t be able to take place.

“It will be an excellent addition to anyone’s CV and a great opportunity to get involved, boost skills and help make the Games a success. We urge people to visit our website today to find out more information and register their interest.”

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The message is clear – if you want to be able to say you played your part in showcasing Birmingham on the global stage, by working on the biggest event we have ever staged here, now is the time to come forward.

“A wide range of roles are on offer, and the experience gained from being involved with such a prestigious event will be a real strength on the CVs of those who work for Birmingham 2022. The Games are much more than the 11 days of sporting action, and is this another key example of why that is the case.”