GLASGOW-based businesses have won more than £182million in contracts for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

To win the work, firms had to register with the Glasgow Business Portal. It brings together contractors and suppliers and provides businesses of all sizes with the opportunity to find out about and compete for business opportunities.

Individual construction projects so far have included the Emirates Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, the Athletes' Village, the East End Regeneration Route, Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls Centre, the Hydro Arena at the SECC and the National Hockey Centre at Glasgow Green.

Among the firms that have benefited are Sir Robert McAlpine, which was involved in the Emirates Arena, and Barr Construction, which is building the £13.7m Tollcross International Swimming centre.

It has also meant thousands of young people or long term unemployed have found work as a result.

A report reveals it had been hoped the Games would result in the recruitment of 329 "new entrant" trainees who need to be either apprentices, young people leaving education or people who have been out of work for some time.

But the city council has already exceeded that number, with 353 already in place and more to come by the end of next year – most working at the Athletes' Village or Hydro Arena.

They have been taken on to work in a wide range of jobs, including administrators, blacksmiths, canteen staff, cladders, electricians, engineer's assistants, general construction, joiners, labourers and scaffolders.

Other Games-related projects have also made a substantial impact and resulted in thousands of people getting work.

The Commonwealth Apprenticeship Initiative has found places for more than 2500 school leavers, the Commonwealth Jobs Fund has placed 309 people in work and the Commonwealth Graduate Fund has got employment for 106.

The three projects have been brought together under the £25m Glasgow Guarantee, which aims to ensure every Glasgwegian aged 16-24 has access to a job, training or an apprenticeship.

City council leader Gordon Matheson said: "These latest figures show the preparations for the Games are already benefiting the city in so many ways.

"The economic legacy from 2014 will leave a city whose workforce is better skilled and whose companies are better placed to win contracts at home and abroad.

"We are taking advantage of this great opportunity for the city and I would encourage everyone to continue to do so.

"There is a huge amount of construction and other activity taking place in the city and foremost in this is the preparation for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

"It is worth repeating that every firm or organisation looking to become involved in the projects taking place in the city now and over the next few years must register with the Glasgow Business Portal.

"It is great to see that businesses, organisations and individuals in Glasgow have taken this fantastic opportunity to ensure the Games will leave a legacy for the city."

The success of the city businesses represents two thirds of work costing almost £277m that has so far gone out to tender.

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk

GORDON MATHESON