As part of its efforts to find creative solutions in a challenging economy, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) is offering businesses and governments the opportunity to give their employees a once-in-a-lifetime professional experience through working temporarily for the Games.
VANOC has launched an employee loan program to fill most of its remaining 1,500 short-term jobs. Positions will last between eight weeks and six months, and the longest terms will begin as early as this September. Accommodation remains a challenge, so organizations able to loan employees already residing in the Vancouver and Sea to Sky regions are particularly encouraged to participate. Similar secondment programs have been used at previous Games, including Calgary in 1988.
Jobs are available in 32 of VANOC’s 53 departments. A small sample of the Organizing Committee’s 1,500 remaining positions include: Accreditation Coordinator, Broadcast Operations Coordinator, Performer Services Coordinator, Energy Deputy Manager, Venue and Language Service Coordinator, Delivery Driver, Remote Vehicle Screening Site Coordinator, Housekeeping Representative, Rigging/Lighting Manager, Sport Writer, Venue Transportation Manager and Venue Communications Centre Manager. A list of VANOC departments requiring additional workforce is included in the attached backgrounder.
“For the past year we’ve been implementing a limited secondment model similar to recent Olympic and Commonwealth Games. However, to proactively manage our way through the realities of the economic downturn we have decided to significantly expand this program,” said Dave Cobb, deputy chief executive officer and executive vice president. “It’s a creative solution to maintain a balanced budget and everyone from corporations to government can be part of the solution. We’re not only offering a unique opportunity for the public and private sectors, we’re navigating through an extraordinary downturn in the economy, and the use of seconded employees will ease some of the pressure on our budget.” While the final value and number of loaned employees will not be known for several months, the program will result in significant savings to VANOC’s operational budget.
“We believe the employee loan program is a win-win situation for everyone,” continued Cobb. “VANOC is looking to fill out its 2010 roster with talented people from a wide range of disciplines. Those involved in the program will get the experience of a lifetime and will take their inspired new skills and confidence back to their respective employers when it’s over, creating another lasting legacy for the Games.”
“We have 45 seconded staff from 20 different partners already part of the secondment program, such as Deloitte, the Canadian Tourism Commission and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport,” said Donna Wilson, executive vice president of human resources, sustainability and international client services at VANOC. “They are examples of how companies can make a huge contribution to the Games and benefit by gaining energized employees with supercharged skills honed at one of the largest international sporting events in the world. Loaned employees will broaden their skill set, while getting all the benefits of being a Games-time worker such as an official uniform and a lifetime of memories, secure in the knowledge that their regular job will be there to return to when the Games draw to a close in March 2010. We invite all companies in the business community to participate.”
VANOC has already been working with the BC Public Service on seconding employees to fill key roles. Building on this approach, other public and private partners will be encouraged to loan employees to help deliver the Games. “This approach is consistent with the delivery of past Games and will use available resources to their best possible potential as we all work together to ensure success,” concluded Wilson.
Interested businesses and employees can find additional information on getting involved in the program by emailing teamworkforce@workforce.vancouver2010.com.
“Numerous companies and Government Partners loaned us staff in the lead up to the ’88 Games to help ensure success,” said Frank King, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Calgary Organizing Committee for the 1988 Olympic Winter Games. “From some of the most senior executives in our organization to those who had front-line jobs in Games venues, the community and our partners stepped up to give their employees the extraordinary opportunity to share the experience of working with the Organizing Committee. That was over 20 years ago and the enduring pride in the community remains strong. I still hear from people who were seconded to the Games, what it did for their careers and the memories and friendships that came with it. I strongly encourage the public and private sector to seriously consider putting people on the 2010 team, not only to help VANOC but to enrich their companies with the skills and experience gained by being part of it.”
(Source: VANOC)
