The Brazilian higher learning institution Estácio is set to train 120,000 workers ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. As an Official Supporter of the Olympic Games, the contract covers the development of teaching content and its instruction across 1,600 courses, in partnership with the Rio 2016 Olympic Organizing Committee.

 “We are in no doubt that the training of our workforce is in good hands and that this partnership will be fundamental to the success of the Games,” said Rio 2016 president Carlos Nuzman.

The learning modules, held between February and July 2016, will last between four and twelve hours, with Rio 2016-focused topics such as ‘Service Excellence’ and ‘Leadership’ on the agenda. The bulk of the technical training will involve staff at the Games venues, and courses will be offered face to face, online and in a combination of the two, some being hosted by Estácio and others by the Organising Committee itself, depending on the subject.

Estácio will also use its infrastructure in ten cities across Brazil as registration centres for volunteers. Applications for the Rio 2016 Volunteer Programme will begin on August 28 with the selection phase held between February 2015 and May 2016.

 “Together, Estácio and Rio 2016 will leave an important training legacy in the sports industry,” said Marcos Noll, executive director of further education at Estácio.