London 2012 Volunteer Regional Selection Programme Arrives in the North West

Today the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) brings the selection process for London 2012 volunteers to the Digital World Centre in Salford Quays.

Gold-medal winning Paralympic cyclist and World Champion Jody Cundy MBE, joined local Games Maker applicants at the centre to officially launch the interview programme in the region.

The venue is the official selection centre for Games Maker applicants based in the North West. From today until 16 April 2011, around 224 people a day are expected to be interviewed at the venue for a wide range of London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games volunteer roles based at Olympic and Paralympic venues across the UK.

Around 100,000 people across the UK will be interviewed for Games Maker volunteer roles and it is estimated that 5,000 of these interviews will take place in Salford. The Salford launch is the second of eight regional selection events taking place around the UK from today until mid August 2011. A dedicated interview centre at London’s ExCel Centre opened on 1 February 2011 and will remain active until March 2012.

World and Paralympic Champion, Jody Cundy MBE said: ‘Games time volunteers are not only inspiring – they are also vital. Athletes rely on volunteers to ensure they can focus on the task in hand and for anyone watching the Games, it is the volunteers that will make London 2012 the greatest show on earth’.

Phil Sherwood, LOCOG head of volunteering, said: ‘We are looking for the best team players from across the UK to volunteer at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and that’s why we are interviewing right across the UK to find the people who will be the faces of the Games.

‘Our team will be finding out if the applicants have got what it takes to be a Games Maker and are willing to go beyond their personal best to help us stage a great Olympic and Paralympic Games. The interview process is a huge undertaking but vitally important to find the right people for the success of the 2012 Games.’

Sheldon Phillips, Head of Regional Major Events at the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) said: ‘London 2012 is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the whole of the UK, including England’s Northwest to engage with the spirit of the 2012 Games. For some, the launch of today’s volunteer regional selection programme is just the first step of their Olympic and Paralympic journey, with a chance to improve skills and be a part of sporting history.

Behind the scenes, the Northwest team continues to work hard with regional businesses, schools, community groups and local people to ensure the region maximises the sporting, social and economic benefits from the Games and creates a lasting legacy.’

100,000 people best suited to the 70,000 volunteer roles on offer will be invited over 14 months to take part in an interview. Interviewees will attend a selection event that comprises of meeting LOCOG staff recruiting for the volunteer roles, an exhibition about Olympic and Paralympic volunteering and a 30 minute interview. Where possible, applicants will be invited to attend the selection event nearest to them.

Given the numbers involved in the UK’s biggest peace-time recruitment drive, no two applications will proceed at the same pace. LOCOG will take most of 2011 to contact applicants and arrange interviews via email and the Games Maker online portal.

The Games Maker interviews in Salford will be conducted by a team of 240 Selection Event Volunteers who are lending their time to help LOCOG select the best possible Games Maker team. Many of the interviewers at the Salford selection centre are Games Maker applicants with HR and/or significant recruitment experience. All have completed comprehensive training led by LOCOG to ensure a positive, fair and enjoyable interview experience.

Worldwide Olympic Partner McDonald’s is the Presenting Partner of the Games Maker volunteer programme. McDonald’s used its nationwide presence to help attract candidates for the diverse team that will be needed to make the London 2012 Games a success. The LOCOG Volunteer team held training sessions for many of the volunteers conducting interviews at the world-class training facilities at McDonald’s head office in East Finchley, London.

Salford based McDonald’s franchisee, Mark Shanley, said: ‘This is a great opportunity for local people to help to deliver the 2012 Games here in the North West. The volunteer interviewers have a critical task ahead to find people who possess the enthusiasm and dedication needed to be a true Games Maker. At McDonald’s we have extensive experience of recruiting people with the right attitude and qualities to thrive in a fast paced environment while delivering excellent customer service and hospitality, so we’re delighted to be working alongside LOCOG to build a first-class Games Maker team.’

Cadbury is an Official Supporter of the London 2012 Games Maker programme and will help LOCOG build great Games Maker teams through fun and friendly game play delivered by programmes such as the Spots v Stripes campaign.

Old Trafford Stadium will host some of the men’s and women’s football tournaments during the London 2012 Olympic Games.