The company will aim to train and employ local residents to help it fulfil the contract, which runs up to the start of London 2012, and to provide long term career opportunities after the Games have taken place.

All opportunities will be advertised in the local media around the Olympic Park and through the local Job Centre plus network and Host Borough job brokerage services.

All Olympic Park security guards will then be trained to achieve Security Industry Authority accreditation and the Construction Skills Certification as well as further specialised security training.

The new security guarding service will help ensure that the Olympic Park is safe and secure for the workforce and local people from this autumn as construction work increases on the Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre, Olympic Village and infrastructure projects.

Over 2,500 workers are on site at present, building to 4,000 at the end of the year.

Further measures to increase the security and safety of the Olympic Park, which will be phased in during the course of this year include the replacement of the temporary hoardings that currently surround the Olympic Park with a more substantial perimeter fence starting later this year.

Procurement is also underway of both a vehicle and people screening contractor, access control systems and a package of perimeter security systems and functions.

Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) chief executive David Higgins said: “As we enter the 'Big Build' phase it is essential that we phase in robust and effective plans to ensure the security and safety of both the Olympic Park workforce - which will number around 9,000 at peak - and the surrounding communities.

"A professional and appropriate security service is a crucial component of these plans but will also contribute to the London 2012 legacy by creating opportunities for local people to gain training, jobs and long term career development."