The year 2014 is a big year for Scotland, when the world will be visiting to take part in The Year of Homecoming, a year-long programme of events that celebrate the very best of Scotland’s food and drink, our fantastic active and natural resources, creativity, culture and ancestral heritage and two world-class events in 2014 - the XXth Commonwealth Games which Glasgow will host in July and the 40th Ryder Cup to be staged at historic Gleneagles in September.All of these events provide opportunities for Scottish businesses and this podcast focuses on those opportunities available from the XXth Commonwealth Games Legacy programme. XXth Commonwealth Games in 2014 will be a spectacular display

of world-class sporting success. The 20th Games will take place in Glasgow from

23rd July to 3rd August this year (2014).The Commonwealth Games will see over 6,500 athletes,

representing 70 nations and territories, compete across 17 sports for 11 days. This will be the biggest and most inclusive sports programme

ever with more medals to compete for and many more opportunities for women

athletes and Para-sport athletes than previous Commonwealth Games.

The Commonwealth Games Legacy programme is focused on using the unique opportunity of the

Games to deliver lasting change across the whole of Scotland – now, in the

run-up to the Games, and in the years beyond.

The Commonwealth Games Legacy programme has a very wide range:

For a Scottish business it might mean winning a

Games-related contract which paves the way for further contracts and new

markets, at home or overseas. It’s helping to bolster the Scottish economy and

enhance our reputation at home and abroad as a place to visit and do business.For a Scottish young person it might mean a job, or an

apprenticeship, or a role as a Youth Legacy Ambassador where they can learn new

skills and gain experience.For Scottish schoolchildren it’s about the opportunity to learn about

the Commonwealth and the Games, about values and about other countries and

their cultures.For Scottish communities it’s about improving local facilities,

taking part in cultural events, working together to celebrate the Games, and

engendering a true community spirit.

Ken Gordon caught up with Linda Murray, head of Scottish Enterprise's 2014 project team to find out about the opportunities available, where you can find them and to hear about how one company NVT Group have taken advantage of the Legacy programme.Check out the Legacy 2014 webpageCheck out Public Contracts Scotland (click on Commonwealth Games Opportunities)Visit the Scottish Enterprise websiteThe

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