Extra training and apprenticeship opportunities for young unemployed people will be made available during the construction of Scotland's National Indoor Sports Arena and Velodrome, one of the key venues for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Glasgow City Council also announced it has appointed Ernst & Young as consultants to advise on a procurement strategy for this and other 2014 Games-related infrastructure projects.

The appointment is aimed at not only securing efficiencies but also ensuring that Glasgow and Scottish-based businesses are fully aware of the forthcoming procurement opportunities, and are gearing up accordingly.

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The National Indoor Sports Arena and Velodrome will be a state-of-the-art venue providing 5000 seat capacity designed as a flexible space; three adjacent full-size training and community sports halls; and Scotland's first purpose-built indoor velodrome.

The council will work in partnership with a number of organisations to increase training and apprenticeships, including John Wheatley College and the Council's new Construction Skills Academy currently being developed at Laurieston, to meet the demand for construction jobs and leisure centre operations associated with the development.

The apprenticeships will be targeted at the East End during the construction of NISA. Once complete, it is estimated that 84 additional Culture and Sport Glasgow permanent full-time staff will be required to operate the venue.

Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of the Council, said: "The success of our bid to host the Commonwealth Games has presented us with the best chance in a generation, and possibly a lifetime, to improve the lives and raise the aspirations of every Glaswegian, and we want to ensure that all our citizens should have the opportunity to reap the benefit."

(GK/JM)