Mayor: Games will bring hope and jobs for young
WEST Midlands Mayor Andy Street has set out plans to ensure the Commonwealth Games continue creating jobs and help young people long after the event is over.
Athletes from 72 nations will compete in the Commonwealth Games, taking place from July 28 to August 8 in 2022.
Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium is the main venue, but events will be held across the West Midlands including in Coventry, Leamington Spa and Cannock Chase.
Mr Street said the Games would be used to help the economy and to provide young people with skills and training.
Measures include:
Recruiting 13,000 volunteers to become a “Commonwealth Collective” and providing them with training in areas such as event services, accreditation, transport, sport and media.
A separate young volunteer programme for 14 to 17-year-olds providing them with key skills to help with future job prospects.
A Commonwealth Jobs and Skills Academy offering training in fields such as event management, digital marketing, hospitality, health, lifestyle and science, sports coaching and team leading
A major International Business Expo which is expected to run alongside the Games, highlighting and promoting commerce in the region and sending out the clear message that Britain is open for business post-pandemic.
A £700,000 scheme funded by the National Lottery Community Fund providing new volunteering and employment opportunities for at least 800 disadvantaged young people, working with 20 communitybased organisations working close to Games venues in Birmingham,
Coventry, Sandwell and Wolverhampton. It will target young people aged 18 to 30 who are unemployed or at risk of unemployment.
£350m of procurement spend to benefit businesses across the UK.
A £4 million fund called Commonwealth Active Communities to encourage people to take more exercise.
Mr Street said the Games would deliver “a message of hope and recovery after the pandemic.”
He said: “I also believe this Games will have another significant legacy a legacy of opportunity - through the jobs it creates and its engagement with business.
‘‘And, of course, through the new skills learned by the 13,000 volunteers who will help make it happen.”