ODA told: train more apprentices

UNIONS have called on Olympics chiefs to improve their record on training as it emerged that only one per cent of site workers were on apprenticeships.

The Olympic Delivery Authority said nine per cent of the 3,000-plus workers were receiving some sort of training but only 30 of these were apprentices.

Last month the ODA pledged to create 2,250 training places including 350 apprenticeships as part of its promised skills legacy. This would be three per cent, the national average, of the 10,000 workers due on the Olympic park next year. The ODA has set up on-site training schools and future contractors will have to commit to three per cent of their workforce being apprentices.

Construction union Ucatt said the 2012 project compared poorly with other projects and said in Scotland some sites have one apprentice for every 10 workers.