G4S starts recruitment drive for 10,000 Olympic Games security staff

G4S, the security provider for the London 2012 Olympic Games, has launched what it called "the biggest paid recruitment drive this century" in order to hire 10,000 security staff in time for the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.

The launch coincides with the opening of a new recruitment centre for G4S in Newham, located a short distance away from the Olympic Park. The centre has the capability to process around 400 people per day.

G4S has already received applications from more than 20,000 people for jobs at the Games, a number which it says is above expectations for this stage of the process.

Mark Hamilton, managing director of G4S security personnel, commented: "We're in very good shape right now. All the recruitment plans, training plans and the operational plans are very well developed. The recruitment drive is above target in terms of the number of applicants we would expect at this time."

Candidates who make it through to the recruitment centre will be interviewed and undergo a rigorous screening and vetting process before their applications are submitted to the Games Organising Committee, LOCOG, for accreditation.

Gareth Griffiths, G4S head of workforce recruitment, said that candidates who pass through G4S's own vetting but are not approved by LOCOG would be considered for security jobs at other events.

Although the positions are temporary, some of the recruits will have the chance of being given jobs at other events with G4S after the Olympics and all staff recruited for the Games will leave with a professional security services qualification, which will help them gain employment in security positions elsewhere.

Paul Deighton, LOCOG chief executive, said that translating temporary opportunities into "real transformational change" to the lives and prospects of those employed by G4S for the Olympics was important to the legacy of the Games.

He added: "The training is going to be a key part of that but the fact we have G4S, which has a massive portfolio of things they are doing that do create permanent opportunities, also helps"

"My message for people getting the jobs is that if you're terrific at your job, you show up on time, have a great attitude and really listen and learn, the probability of you getting hired again to do something else is incredibly high. So that transition between temporary to really permanent opportunities is a key part of how we make the legacy work."

For the latest news and guidance around issues affecting employers during the London 2012, such as absence, transport and volunteering, view our employer's guide to the Olympic Games.