- ‘Being involved’ the biggest motivator, money the least important factor
- One third prepared to leave their current job to work at the Games
With 100 days to go until the London 2012 Games, the motivations and make-up of the potential Games workforce has been revealed for the first time.
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The poll of over 2,500 people who have registered for a job through the official job board shows that a passion for the Games is far and away the biggest motivation for working at the Olympics, as opposed to learning new skills, thinking about careers or earning more money.
When asked about their reasons for wanting to work at the Games, 957 respondents (38%) said that being involved in the greatest show on Earth was their main motivation, well ahead of the 10% who cited exploring other career opportunities or gaining new skills. Earning more money is at the bottom of people’s priorities, with just 65 respondents (3%) working at the Games for that reason.
When asked what skills they would need to work at the Games, 72% cite teamwork as the most important attribute, ahead of communication skills (61%), interpersonal skills (44%) and an ability to handle pressure (37%).
The lengths that people are prepared to go to work at the Games is seen through a number of sacrifices, with jobs, salaries and geographical locations all seen as expendable in order to secure a job on the workforce. One third (33%) say they would leave their job to work at the Games, with 19% planning to take a sabbatical and 14% leaving their job permanently.
Almost a quarter (22%) admit that their salary would decrease, and over half (56%) would have to move away from home during the Games. Of this group, most have no idea where they would stay but friends, guest houses and private lets are seen as the most popular options for those that have thought ahead.
Steve Girdler, Director of 2012 Partnership, Adecco Group, said, “This is the first time we’ve really captured the mood of the people who will deliver the Games, and it’s very evident that we have a passionate, committed workforce whose desire reflects the athletes who are competing. That desire to work at the Games and to be part of something momentous suggests that they will deliver a very special Olympics.”
The research shows that the majority of registrants (56%) are under 34, with 17% coming from the host boroughs in London. As a sign of how the Games appeals to all, 107 registrants said they are prepared to come out of retirement to work at the Games.
