London Olympics Legacy on the Job Market

Whether you live in London, visited for the 2012 Olympic games or just watched the action on TV at home, there’s no denying that the 2012 Olympics was a resounding success for the UK,  boosting London’s economy, whilst bringing more tourists than ever before to the UK.  But what legacy has the Olympics left us with?
Even though it has been over a year since the games, it is still hard to judge how and if they had a lasting effect on the employment front. Before the games there was an increased need for construction workers, many of whom were involved in the building of the Olympic Stadium and associated projects. According to “The Economic Impact of the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games” by Oxford Economics, “Between the award and five years after the closing ceremony, it is estimated that the 2012 Games will support the equivalent of 354,000 years of employment. Of which, construction work will support 78% and tourism 15%.”
However, what can’t be measure is whether the enthusiasm for game and spot increased popularity in such professions such as Personal Trainers and PE Teachers, as people become more aware of the health and fitness industry thanks to the Olympic Games.
Why Professions are changing
The impact of the Olympics on the UK’s economy has been profound – because it’s made more people aware of the sports industry and employment opportunities, whilst also creating more opportunities in the industry.
One would hope that more young people than ever before are looking to work in the sports industry, as physiotherapists, personal trainers or sports coaches.  The construction industry has also received a boost, as more money is being spent within the industry.  It’s estimated that £11.9 billion will be spent on games related construction from 2005 – 2017, and prior to the 2012 Olympics, the Olympic Development Authority provided more than 4,000 training opportunities for construction workers.
When you consider that in April 2011, 12,300 people were employed building the Olympic Park and Village, it’s easy to see just how much of an impact the Olympics has had on the construction industry.
Realise your Dream
So you’ve decided on a career in sports coaching or physiotherapy – but what next?  What qualifications are the best to get you to where you need to be in your chosen field?  You could opt for an undergraduate degree for the best possible qualifications, although bear in mind that this will take 3-4 years to complete.  Universities such as Bangor provide courses including the following:

• BSc Sport Science or Sport, Health and Physical Education
• MSc where you can specialise in your chosen field – for example an MSc in Applied Sports Science, Exercise Rehabilitation (ideal for physiotherapists) or Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology

There is another route to success, and that’s by studying a more hands-on course at college, which will allow you to get into your chosen field more quickly without spending 3-4 years studying for a degree.  These courses are the ideal choice for anyone looking to change their career path, such as mature students, and courses on offer at institutions such as St Mary’s University College in London include:

• Level 2 or 3 certificate in Fitness Instruction or Personal Training
• Level 4 or 5 Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy
• Workshops in Sports Nutrition, Psychology and Coaching Kids
• Foundation degree in Health and Fitness/Sports Coaching

As you can see, there are several routes towards your career of choice, but with the sports, construction and events management industry seeing an increase in the number of people choosing these professions, it’s important to get your application in early for these popular courses, which are likely to fill up well ahead of time.