Tinie Tempah backs new youth training campaign for disadvantaged Londoners

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.