StreetGames Coca-Cola apprentices meet Nick Hewer

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Five young people from StreetGames projects across the UK met The Apprentice star Nick Hewer last Wednesday (15th February) at the Olympic Park.

They were at an event where they discovered they’d been hired for the opportunity of a lifetime - to work behind the scenes at the London 2012 Olympic Games as part of an initiative run by Coca-Cola, Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Games, to shine a light on some of this country’s most inspirational young people.  

The young people were selected following a specially designed selection weekend run by Coca-Cola, in association with StreetGames where, mirroring the TV programme, the candidates were put through their paces to test their commitment to the role and their ability to work well as a team. The applicants were also given training from experts in their field to improve their interview, event organisation and mentoring skills.

Leon McCollin, Arianna Sarchet, Azad Miah, Casey Lashley and Michael Gardner discovered they would be doing one of two roles during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Arianna, Azad, Casey and Michael have earned themselves unique ‘apprenticeships’, which will see them working within the Coca-Cola Venue Operations team during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, helping to deliver Coca-Cola’s London 2012 Olympic Games programme to millions of visitors, journalists, and officials.

Leon proved to be one of the best candidates for the two Showcasing Project Coordinator jobs on offer. He will now spend eight months working full-time within Coca-Cola’s Showcasing Team at their London headquarters to co-ordinate the recruitment and training of 330 Games time staff.

Leon said of the best advice Nick Hewer gave him: “He told me to try not to blend in too much and if someone asks you to do something, try to be the first person to say yes. Never say no. Always go and do it and you will benefit in the long run. Trying to relax and blend in is not going to cut it. If you want to stand out and achieve something then just volunteer yourself as much as possible. Even if you don’t know how to do it, learn how to do it.” 

Leon also said of the Olympic Park: "Even though I’ve seen it before, reality has started kicking in that I’m actually going to be here doing this, doing that. It’s going to be wicked. The whole of the world is going to be there and I’m going to be a part of it. It’s a great feeling to have, I must say."

Arianna said: “I am so excited that I have been given the opportunity to work at the Olympics for Coca-Cola. Actually being a part of the largest event in the world will be amazing and it’s going to make the whole experience feel even more real. I just can’t wait for the next few months to pass so I can get started!”

Star of The Apprentice, Nick Hewer, said:  “It’s hard to get employment in the current environment and opportunities can be limited when you’re from a disadvantaged background. Young people like Michael need all the help they can get so the initiative that Coca-Cola Great Britain has, to offer ‘apprenticeships’ at the Olympic Games is fantastic and could really kick start the careers of talented young people that might not otherwise have had access to the opportunity. What better Olympic legacy to leave?”

View photos of the event on the StreetGames Facebook page here »