Birmingham 2022 launches apprenticeship scheme

Birmingham 2022 has officially launched its search for the first group of apprentices to work as part of the team delivering the biggest sports and cultural event to be held in the UK for ten years.

The search for candidates to fill the first business administrator roles, has now begun, with other roles in different areas of the organisation, including ticketing, venue development, procurement, workforce, sport, and security expected to go live soon.

The first new recruits will officially start their apprenticeship in the New Year.

Birmingham 2022 will be supported in its search by its Official Recruiter, Gi Group, whose involvement in the Commonwealth Games was announced earlier in the year.

Together with Birmingham 2022’s, recruitment and HR teams, Gi Group will also provide the best possible apprenticeship training and learning support and ensure the new recruits have a rewarding experience during their time with the company.

The apprenticeship scheme announcement comes after Birmingham 2022 also recently confirmed that it is looking to recruit more than 50 new members of staff before the end of 2020 and that by the summer of 2022 it will employ around 1,200 people.

John Crabtree, Chairman of Birmingham 2022, said: “We are very pleased to be able to provide these fantastic opportunities for more people to join us in delivering Birmingham 2022 – the biggest event ever to be staged in the West Midlands.

“We’re encouraging people of all ages to apply for our apprenticeship roles and support will be provided during the recruitment process and throughout each apprentice’s time with the organisation.

“This first group of apprentices will be tasked with supporting and engaging with different parts of the organisation and interacting with external customers. The roles are really varied so each apprentice will develop a wide range of skills whilst they are working with us, providing them with lots of experience and helping them to become the region’s next group of major event professionals.”

Once the successful candidates have completed their apprenticeship, which is expected to last for a period of between 12 and 18 months, depending on the role, the apprentices will then continue working for Birmingham 2022 until the end of the Games in August 2022.

Paulo Canoa, Gi Group UK CEO, said, ‘We are incredibly proud to be working in partnership with the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and we are looking forward to working with the new apprentices that will have a big impact on the skills legacy of Birmingham 2022.

“Our highly experienced team members are working together to ensure the apprentices have a fantastic time and learn important and progressive skills to take with them in their careers.”

Nigel Huddleston, Minister for Sport, Heritage and Tourism, said:  “Backed by almost £600 million of government investment, Birmingham 2022 will create new opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. I’m delighted to see that this apprenticeship scheme will help us to do just that, offering a unique opportunity to play a role in the UK’s biggest sporting event in a decade, and develop new skills along the way.”

The application process for the first apprenticeships roles, which are open to everyone with a grade C (Level 4) in English, Grade D (Level 3) in Maths and with basic computer literacy skills, is open now at www.birmingham2022.com/get-involved/apprenticeships/

The simple process involves apprentices completing a guided application. These applications will then be reviewed, and successful applicants invited for interview, in line with the current Birmingham 2022 recruitment process.

Other current vacancies at Birmingham 2022 can be seen at www.birmingham2022.com/jobs with the transport, sport and procurement teams all currently recruiting. Recruitment for the company, which is planning and delivering the Commonwealth Games, has continued at full speed despite the global pandemic, with over 100 new staff joining the team so far this year.

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• The confirmation of apprenticeship roles at Birmingham 2022 follows an announcement in May about the creation of a jobs and skills academy, supported by West Midlands Combined Authority and its partners, to try and accelerate and amplify plans to improve regional skills and employment opportunities through the Games.