City of Bristol College is getting into the Olympic spirit by putting forward some of its top students as security professionals during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Students who have successfully achieved the College’s Door Supervision qualification will be given a guaranteed job interview for a trained, security-based role at one of the Olympic sites.

John Blackmore, a City of Bristol College student, commented: “Now I have a qualification to back up my experience I am keen to use that to get security work at events such as the Olympics or other large scale sporting or entertainment events.

“I am fortunate that I have landed a great full-time job locally but I am hoping that my employer will allow me to take leave if I get through to work at the Olympics. It really is an opportunity of a lifetime and the atmosphere is bound to be amazing.”

The opportunity is thanks to an initiative inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The ‘Bridging the Gap’ scheme aims to provide students with a springboard for future careers in the security industry, the uniformed services and armed forces.

The project’s stakeholders are working together to ensure that many new recruits are drawn into the sector long after the London 2012 Games have come to a close.

The chance to work at the Games is open to everyone who has successfully completed the appropriate training. Colleges such as City of Bristol are offering courses which give students qualifications that are developed with, and recognised by, the security industry.

One local hopeful who has already successfully trained with City of Bristol College is 42 year-old Joanne Thorne from Kingswood.

Joanne commented: “There is a real shortage of women in the security industry and I like the fact that there are promotional prospects even for someone of my age and experience.”

Hannah Lloyd, Head of Commerce, Innovation and Skills at City of Bristol College, adds: “We are delighted that some of our students will hopefully get a chance to work at the Games.

The security sector is worth £6 billion and recruits around 60,000 people nationally each year so there are a variety of opportunities for people who have the right skills and have a gained an industry qualification.”

To find out more about the Security Skills training courses contact City of Bristol College through Skills Centre South West on 0117 312 2088.