The economic downturn has crippled most industries and caused a palpable slowdown across diverse sectors including the construction industry. The 2012 Olympic Games have provided an impetus to stem the rising unemployment rate. Exciting opportunities abound for the skilled worker willing to put in the time and effort to make a play for the jobs that are there for the taking.

The implications of hosting the Olympic Games for the British economy are huge. The impending colossal affair has thrown open a number of interesting job opportunities in the construction industry within the UK. At present, the UK construction industry is worth 102.4 billion pounds, accounting for 8% of the national GDP. The Olympics will affect an increase of at least 10 percent. 30,000 construction jobs will be created by the Games and the whole country will witness a surge in tourist traffic.

A variety of construction projects are underway to upgrade the existing infrastructure and get the requisites in place before D-day. Prime examples are the Olympic Stadium, the Olympic Village that will house the 17,000 athletes and officials, the International Broadcast Centre, the Media Centre, the basketball and handball arenas, the Aquatics Centre with three swimming pools, the Eton Dorney Rowing Venue, the Energy Centre, the Olympic Park Loop Road, myriad bridges and underpasses, medical and leisure facilities, restaurants and shops etc.

ODA chairman John Armitt said: ?We are delivering vital business, jobs and training opportunities in a tough time for companies and workers. Maximising apprenticeships on the Olympic Park is an important boost to this legacy.???

In keeping with this statement, the Government has made it mandatory for at least 10% of the labour force to be made up of trainees or apprentices. 10% of the people currently engaged in the various construction projects were previously unemployed. 76% of the work force is directly employed.

These statistics clearly indicate that a number of construction job opportunities are available in abundance and spread across the board, from bricklayers and carpenters to architects, engineers, landscape designers and structural designers. Whatever the skill level, qualifications or expertise, some of the industry?s biggest names are hiring in hordes.

Mechanical, Electrical Engineering Jobs, as well as Civil and Structural Engineering jobs are on the rise.

Schemes like the National Skills Academy for Construction (in partnership with the Olympic Delivery Authority) offer work-based training for people going into construction jobs and civil engineering jobs. Plus, with ?9.3billion of the Olympic budget allocated purely to construction jobs, transport and regeneration, the wages can be pretty attractive too.

The need of the hour is to make hay while the sun shines and grab the construction job opportunities that have been thrown open by the Olympic Games.