Resdients are invited to find out about thousands of job opportunities that will be available in the lead up to and during the Olympic and Paralympic Games at the first of a series of job events organised by Hackney Council.

Promotional events are due to take place in Hackney and the five other host boroughs this autumn. The first takes place at St John’s Church, E5, from 10am-5pm, on 28 September, where residents will be able to register their interest in jobs in security, catering, hospitality, retail, customer service, cleaning and waste management. Jobs will also be available at LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games).

Hackney’s own 2012 jobs brokerage, On Site Hackney Recruitment Centre, will be there together with Jobcentre Plus, and 2012 employers and training providers, who are offering Games-related ‘skills for employment’ courses. Residents will be directed to the right sector for their experience, advised on opportunities, or offered one-to-one advice.

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Cabinet Member for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games said: “This is a unique opportunity to become part of a team that will deliver the biggest event East London has ever seen. Although most of the jobs are temporary, lasting up to nine weeks, it will boost peoples’ job prospects to be able to say they were part of the 2012 Games.”

Former ambulance driver and Hackney resident, Stephen Yoxall, 57, has been working as a security officer on the Olympic Park for nearly two years, thanks to support from On Site and Job Centre Plus.

He said: “I was very grateful for the opportunity to get back to work after two years unemployed. I’ve seen the Park change from a building site to nearly complete. My ambition after the Games is to go into corporate security.”

Twenty four residents have just been offered jobs with the 2012 security firm G4S, but many more are needed.