VANCOUVER : It’s no secret that the $1.76-billion 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games face a potential crisis. More sponsors, advertisers and ticket buyers are required if the Games are to meet their revenue forecasts and their break-even mandate.
Now there is another need: A supply of free labour.
On Thursday, the Vancouver Organizing Committee "VANOC" called for private companies and governments to loan the Games their workers, so that it can fill some 1,500 new Olympics-related jobs.
Some have lofty titles: Broadcast Operations Coordinator; Cultural Olympiad Program Manager; Venue Transportation Manager.
These are important managerial positions, acknowledged Donna Wilson, VANOC executive vice president of human resources, during a conversation with reporters on Thursday afternoon. “Senior roles,” agreed VANOC’s deputy chief executive officer and executive vice-president, David Cobb.
There are also lesser functions: The committee is looking for spare truck drivers, housekeepers, a sports writer. A torch relay crew needs to be in place by September.
Mr. Cobb said that organizers received 30 inquiries within hours of the announcement being made on Thursday. The jobs list caused a stir in Vancouver office towers. Reaction was mixed. Some desk-bound types expressed interest; however, there was disappointment that Olympic Mascot did not appear on the VANOC job sheet.
Now there is another need: A supply of free labour.
On Thursday, the Vancouver Organizing Committee "VANOC" called for private companies and governments to loan the Games their workers, so that it can fill some 1,500 new Olympics-related jobs.
Some have lofty titles: Broadcast Operations Coordinator; Cultural Olympiad Program Manager; Venue Transportation Manager.
These are important managerial positions, acknowledged Donna Wilson, VANOC executive vice president of human resources, during a conversation with reporters on Thursday afternoon. “Senior roles,” agreed VANOC’s deputy chief executive officer and executive vice-president, David Cobb.
There are also lesser functions: The committee is looking for spare truck drivers, housekeepers, a sports writer. A torch relay crew needs to be in place by September.
Mr. Cobb said that organizers received 30 inquiries within hours of the announcement being made on Thursday. The jobs list caused a stir in Vancouver office towers. Reaction was mixed. Some desk-bound types expressed interest; however, there was disappointment that Olympic Mascot did not appear on the VANOC job sheet.
