Tinie Tempah backs new youth training campaign for disadvantaged Londoners

Support: Tinie Tempah, far left, and Dumi Oburota, far right, with Chase Cowans, 16, and Abi Akinboboye, 25, who have both secured work experience
Grant Frazer

Tinie Tempah today threw his weight behind a new campaign to give disadvantaged young Londoners the chance to secure work experience with captains of industry.

The Not Letting Go singer is leading by example to help young people get into the music industry, joining senior figures in the business community who are providing a platform through the Shadow to Shine initiative.

It aims to inspire young people with poor career prospects by pairing them with chief executives or managing directors, giving them an insight into a boardroom-level working environment that would otherwise be unthinkable.

South Londoner Tempah, 29 — real name Patrick Okogwu — said: “Leaders in the urban music industry can be influential and highly positive role models for young people across London. Helping young people connect with and be successful in corporate environments enables them to become business achievers of the next generation.”

Other backers include his manager Dumi Oburota of the Disturbing London brand; Stephen Conway, executive chairman of housebuilder Galliard Homes; Becky Fatemi, managing director of estate agents Rokstone; and Faisal Saigol, chief executive of property investor Saigol DDC.

The programme is open to young people who have recently left school with five or fewer GCSEs at grades A to C, or who face other major hurdles securing jobs. Before starting their placement, each candidate will be given a booklet of information about the company’s ethos, dress code, expectations, working hours and rules.

After the work experience is over they get two sessions of mentoring followed by a graduation ceremony. The mentoring companies only have to cover the cost of meals and travel expenses.

The programme is being delivered by charity 2020 Change, which aims to equip young people with the skills to become leading entrepreneurs.

Duro Oye and Michael Edison-Odiase, joint chiefs of 2020 Change, said: “We are delighted by the support we have received from so many senior figures from the music and property industries. It is a central belief of 2020 Change that disengaged young people, including those from ethnic minorities or disadvantaged backgrounds, deserve a level playing field to be able to develop.

“Training and work experience with successful mentors from the business world can introduce these young people into a new world of thinking and give them the confidence and skills to fulfil their full potential and become key contributors to working society.”

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