By Tom Degun

February 4 -Dame Kelly_Holmes_giving_speech BP, the Official Oil and Gas Partner of London 2012, has revealed that it is increasing its annual UK graduate recruitment by 50 per cent this year, to nearly 250 graduates – offering their recruits the chance to work on the Games before they start their careers in September in a scheme backed by double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes (pictured right).


The announcement means that BP will enable 100 of their graduates to start working with the London 2012 Organising Committee this June, where they will have the opportunity to pursue short-term secondments in areas such as the main operations centre, transport or city operations.

BP is the only UK employer to offer such an experience to graduates.

Throughout their secondments, the company will provide the graduates with a BP internship salary, accommodation and transport costs.

"BP is hiring more bright young minds than ever before and I'm sure the UK's young science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) community will be pleased to hear we are ramping up our recruitment again this year," said Emma Judge, the head of UK Graduate Recruitment at BP.

"Being one of the leading UK graduate employers, and an Official Partner of the London 2012 Games, we wanted a special welcome for the graduates joining BP this year, so what better way than starting their careers with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "

The project has been backed by Dame Kelly, Britain's former middle distance star who sensationally won double gold in the 800 and 1500 metres at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Dame Kelly_Holmes_celebrates_winning_in_Athens_2004
"Throughout my career, focus and determination has played a critical role in my success," she said.

"It's great to see the UK's next generation of business talent being equally as focused and determined to achieve their goals.

"I can't think of a better way for a graduate to start their career than a London 2012 secondment.

"It's fantastic that one of the Official Partners of the London 2012 Games is giving graduates this exclusive opportunity."

"Without the tens of thousands of people working on the London 2012 Games, they simply wouldn't happen," added London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe.

"We look forward to working with BP's high-calibre graduates who will no doubt help us make the London 2012 Games a great success.

"We are also glad that these graduates will be gaining skills and experience that they will be able to use for many years to come, helping us leave a lasting legacy long after the Games have finished."

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