Businesses to get Olympic training

Businesses of all sizes are being offered free training to improve language and cultural skills in the run up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.

They will be at the heart of the visitor welcome in 2012 and the London Development Agency (LDA) is offering free training in language and cultural skills to ensure a lasting impression.

Regional Language Network London will also boost training in the recession meaning businesses will be able to enhance their service in preparation for the upturn. The programme will benefit frontline services including hospitality, tourism, transport, retail and leisure industries.

Businesses can take advantage of the following training opportunities:
• "Welcoming the World" - day courses providing employees with language and cultural awareness through learning key phrases and picking up on customs to improve customer service • "Working with the World" - day courses which providing managers who lead multicultural teams with an insight into different customs and traditions.

A dedicated website, www.rln-london.com has also been created.

To date, 190 employees from 50 companies have taken part in the training courses including Addison Lee, BAA Heathrow, City Lit, Emporio Armani, Firmdale Hotels, First Step Trust, Greater London Volunteering, Greenwich Council Tourism Department, Holiday Inn, London Leisure College, London Metropolitan University, London Underground, Making Training Work, Museum of London, Marks & Spencer National Express, Novotel, Park Inn, Tate Britain, Tie Rack and Wilson Jones.