Paris 2024 aims to foster economic development, reduce inequalities

Employment is a priority area for Paris 2024. Early planning before the election of Paris 2024 as an Olympic host showed that the Games would generate activity for 150,000 jobs in a wide range of areas, including event organisation, tourism, catering and construction.

“We want to bring more people on board, including those who think the Games aren’t for them and that they’ll never find a job in this sector! There are so many opportunities out there, the Games will benefit everyone,” said Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 president.

The jobs strategy involves:

• Reserving a minimum of 10 per cent of the working hours generated by procurement for people far from employment.
• “Stadium to job” recruitment days, when jobseekers can show recruiters their soft skills in an informal setting before interviews: after more than 300 events so far, 60 per cent of attendees have returned to employment within six months.
• A special web platform (EMPLOIS 2024) that lists all Games-related jobs and acts as a one-stop-shop for employers and jobseekers, who can also access any training they require.
• Work experience and training schemes for junior and middle-school French students to prepare them for job opportunities.

While 90 per cent of suppliers are French, 75 per cent are small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They account for two-thirds of the contracts awarded, with 1,200 SMEs benefitting.

“The Paris 2024 vision of harnessing the power of sport to open up socio-economic opportunities for all is already bearing fruit, at more than a year before the Games have begun,” said Marie Sallois, International Olympic Committee director for sustainability.

“This reflects the wider purpose of the Olympic Movement, the ambitions of Olympic Agenda 2020+5, and the power of sport to improve people’s lives.”

The Games are already bringing sport closer to the people of Seine-Saint Denis, with free sports participation events organised in public spaces across the area, learn-to-swim summer programmes for children, and disability awareness campaigns in local schools.

Source: IOC; Main image: Paris2024