Woodberry Works trains local people so they can gain the professional qualifications and experience needed to compete for the thousands of construction jobs generated by these massive projects over the next few years.

The centre, run by Hackney council, is specifically targeting residents in the Woodberry Down and Stamford Hill areas and will offer an introduction to construction course and a construction course for members of the Orthodox Jewish faith. A third course for women will begin in January.

Kim Wright, the council’s corporate director of Community Services, said: "At the peak of building work on the Olympic site in Hackney Wick and Stratford, it is estimated that 9,000 construction jobs will be required.

“The Woodberry Works construction centre is one way through which local residents can gain the qualifications and experience they need to compete for such jobs."