Organizers for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games called for more talents to join the preparatory works team during the launch of their third recruitment round yesterday.

Chinese people from all over the world are invited to apply for 180 vacancies, including 120 management positions and 60 specialized technical ones, said the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG).

At the same time, the Qingdao Sailing Sub-Committee, which is in charge of holding the Olympic sailing events in 2008, is also offering 13 positions

"The recruitment is open to all Chinese nationals including those studying abroad," said Zhang Zhiwei, director of BOCOG Human Resources Department.

The deadline for applications is March 30.

"All the applicants are required to undergo examinations in written and spoken English, as well as in comprehensive and specialized subjects," Zhang said. "BOCOG will entrust an agency to supervise the examinations, and the final results will be announced in the latter half of June."

It is the third time that BOCOG is holding such a large-scale recruitment drive, following initiatives in 2002 and 2004. 81 BOCOG members of staff were selected from more than 6,000 applicants through this process.

"For those who could not find suitable positions then or who missed the chance for other reasons, they can enter their names on the official website as well since BOCOG would also be looking to hire in the future from qualified people on the reserve list," Zhang said.

Established on December 13, 2001, BOCOG has already gathered 629 staff through open recruitment from the whole society and selective transfers from governmental departments and related institutions.

The number is expected to double this year and staff strength will reach 4,000 when the Games begin.

As for post-Games' careers, officials have promised to offer assistance.

"According to regulations, all the staff hired from the open recruitment drive should look out for their own futures after the Games, but BOCOG will try its very best to help them find suitable jobs," Zhang said.

This year's group of university graduates will not be eligible because a special recruitment program was launched previously for them.

Anyone interested in joining the team can log on to the BOCOG official website: www.beijing2008.com to find out more about specific vacancies and register their names.

(China Daily March 17, 2006)