The Games, sold on the legacy they can bring to the city, will bring almost 5,000 jobs per year to the city leading up to 2022, it is claimed.

To capitalise on the raft of sectors which will require workers, including hospitality, security, logistics, cleaning and catering, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in conjunction with Birmingham 2022 set up an online portal that offers free educational courses to West Midlands residents earning less than £18,135 ($24,700/€21,400) per year.

The WMCA aims to train more than 6,000 local people to fill jobs leading up to and during the Games.

Commonwealth Games contractors are involved in the project and can be connected directly with people graduating the courses.

"The Commonwealth Games was always about so much more than medals and athletes, and it was this legacy of jobs and improved opportunities that made me so determined to land this global event for our region," West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said.

"Now the jobs being offered by the Games and created as part of the legacy have become even more critical, as the pandemic has left many people out of work and others worried about their future. 

"That’s why the WMCA, working closely with our local authorities and other partners, is funding this comprehensive training programme ahead of next summer’s games to ensure local people can get the skills they need to fill the jobs being created.

"I would urge anyone who is out of work or looking for a job to use our 'one-stop shop' and find out how they can get trained for an exciting new career."

Birmingham 2022 is also keen for local people to gain work through the city hosting the Games.

Chief executive Ian Reid said: "The Jobs and Skills Academy is a fantastic initiative that will allow local people to gain the skills they need so that they can apply for the thousands of jobs that the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is creating in the host city and the West Midlands region.

"I hope that people in Birmingham and the region grab this opportunity so that they can help us to deliver a spectacular edition of the Games next summer."

The Jobs and Skills Academy follows earlier initiatives that offered 1,500 people the chance to undertake higher-level courses to gain employment through the Games, including in digital marketing, event management, health, sports coaching and leading teams. 

Set up by the WMCA, Birmingham City Council, Birmingham 2022, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Education, Jobcentre Plus and the Department for Work and Pensions, the Commonwealth Jobs and Skills Academy oversees the running of these initiatives.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games are due to run from July 28 to August 8 next summer.

This will be the first time the city and indeed the West Midlands region has hosted the Games.

To explore current Birmingham 2022 job vacancies, click here.