The government has hired a skills and training specialist to work with businesses to prepare for the 2012 Olympic games.

The Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) has recruited “skills champion” Sandra Scott to work on UK skills development and training.

The former director of the Dependency to Work programme for ex-offenders will discuss the games’ skills requirements with government agencies and businesses over the coming months.

“The games are a great opportunity to demonstrate how the UK’s skills can come together and contribute to the delivery of a world-class event.

“We need to harness the energy and enthusiasm that the games bring to ensure that improvements to the UK’s skills and productivity levels continue long after the games have finished,” Scott said.