The organizers of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris are looking for cooks, bus drivers, security and cleaning agents, logisticians and more. A giant job fair was held on Tuesday to help fill about 16,000 vacancies in key sectors for the mega event.
A Rare Opportunity to Work for the Olympics
The job fair was organized in Saint-Denis, a northern suburb of the French capital, on the future site of the Olympic village. About 50 companies were recruiting in various fields to be able to welcome millions of spectators and more than 14,500 athletes next year for the Olympics and Paralympics. Jobseekers could also apply via a specific website.
Tony Estanguet, the organizing committee president for Paris 2024, said that working for the Games is a source of personal pride and a very rare professional experience. “There are many opportunities globally in France, for Paris 2024 and beyond, because definitely there are also some jobs that will have for sure a second life after the Olympics,” he said. “We will welcome the world in 300 days. And definitely we are more than determined to be at the best level.”
A Challenge for Some Sectors
The recruitment may especially prove a challenge in fields where the country’s businesses already have difficulties to fill job vacancies, like restaurants and security services. Sodexo Live, which is in charge of the catering during the Olympics, is looking to fill 6,000 jobs. The company noted that many don’t require specific qualifications and that those who are hired will be offered training.
Elise Patry, in charge of human resources communication at Sodexo Live, said “we’re recruiting for 14 competition venues and also for the Olympic village, where we’ll set up the world’s largest restaurant.” About 3,000 jobs are estimated to be needed to take care of cleaning and waste management. French metro and rail groups RATP and SNCF are also hiring people on long-term contracts to operate transports during the Games.
A Boost for the Local Economy
The working-class, multicultural area of Saint-Denis is also one of the poorest places in France’s mainland, where the unemployment rate reaches about 10% — or three points above the national average. The Olympic committee worked with the state and local authorities to encourage companies to hire local workers and disadvantaged people.
The Olympic organizing committee estimated that between 2018 and 2024, more than 181,000 people will have worked directly in relation with the organization of the Games. The event is expected to generate about 10.7 billion euros ($12.5 billion) of economic benefits for France, according to a study by EY.
