THE Olympics minister as insisted Waltham Forest will enjoy long-term benefits from the 2012 Games.

Tessa Jowell MP told the Guardian that, despite current figures showing that only four per cent of construction workers on Olympic projects are from the borough, residents will be trained in new skills to improve employment opportunities.

The minister met councillors and arts groups at the William Morris Gallery in Forest Road, Walthamstow, on Tuesday to mark the publication of the council's cultural strategy.

Latest figures show 20 per cent of the workforce on the Olympic Park are from the five host boroughs – with just four per cent from Waltham Forest.

Out of nearly 5,000 in total working on the site, there are 263 workers registered as living in Waltham Forest.

Of the five host boroughs, Newham has the most workers with 436 - seven per cent of the total workforce.

Ms Jowell said: “One of the challenges has been low skill levels in the Olympic boroughs, which is why skills training is being given to local people in order for them to get jobs.

“We want to make sure that there are more skilled people in Olympic boroughs than before. And as we get closer to the Olympics, we want to make sure people have a chance of getting a job on the Olympics.”

The minister said that many of the contractors brought in their own workers from outside the host boroughs which, she said, was a consequence of the recession.

The minister met councillors and the borough's Olympic Ambassadors and looked at the plans for the multi-million redevelopment of the William Morris Gallery grounds and Lloyd Park.

The council's 20-year strategy is part of the Cultural Olympiad, which aims to improve arts and leisure facilities in the run up to the Games and beyond.

Council leader Chris Robbins said: “We have £6million investment in the construction college, £5million in the public realm and £2.5million from London Development Agency.

Tessa Jowell MP said: "The Cultural Olympiad is of equal importance with the games itself. The emphasis Waltham Forest is placing on the cultural strategy is such a very important expression of that.”

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