Minister for Employment visits Tottenham Hotspur to celebrate job creation success

The Minister for Employment, Jo Churchill MP, paid a visit to Percy House - home of Tottenham Hotspur Foundation - and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to meet local young people who have gained job opportunities through the Club’s job employability programmes.

The Stadium and its increased number of events and attractions support 3,700 full-time equivalent jobs for people across the Club’s tri-borough of Haringey, Enfield and Waltham Forest - 2,800 in Haringey specifically – inclusive of 1,800 directly employed by the Club, 1,600 supported through supply chains and a further 300 as a result of induced effects.

Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, the Club’s charitable body, continues to support this work through the delivery of a range of employment and skills programmes.

This includes one-to-one employment advice for jobseekers alongside interview skills and CV training, as well as major jobs fairs held throughout the year at the Stadium.

This is within the context of Haringey having one of the highest rates of unemployment in London, with 4.8% of adults unemployed according to the Office for National Statistics - above the national average of 4.3%.

Among those the Minister heard from this week was Kareem Mavideniz, 19, who has received one-to-one CV and interview support from the Foundation, and now works at the Stadium’s newest attraction, F1 DRIVE – London.

He said: “If it wasn’t for Tottenham Hotspur, I’d definitely not be here and could possibly be doing something I shouldn’t.

“I want other young people to feel comfortable and be inspired to bring themselves to either the Foundation or a better path in life in general.”

Kareem shared his story of being expelled from school to now being “on the right path, waking up happy, with a smile on my face”.

He said: “Before being introduced to the Foundation, I was getting into a lot of trouble, just typical stuff. You name it, been there, done that.

“I knew there were schemes to help young people in Tottenham, but I had that mindset of ‘It’s not for me’.

“However, when I met Jordan from the Foundation employment team, he was able to relate to me, then support me looking for work and trying to change my life around.

“The mentoring’s helped me to build my confidence, communication skills and feel happier in general.”

The Minister was also introduced to Alia Leone, 21, Reuben Parker-Stephenson, 23, and Hopeton Lindo, 23.

Both Alia and Reuben have benefited from the Foundation’s new Level Up Network, each completing seven life skills workshops, as part of career mentoring and employability support for young adults.

Reuben is starting a new job in telecommunications. Alia is working in hospitality on event days at the Stadium, as is Hopeton who, after spending a year searching for work, came to a jobs fair and was offered support by the Foundation.

The Foundation’s youth, employment and skills manager, Damian Zabielski, said: “The Minister’s visit is recognition of the success we’ve had in working alongside the Club to help drive employment in the local area, particularly at the Stadium.

“I know she was inspired to hear everyone’s stories and the positive impact their time engaging with the Foundation has had.

“Our job fairs, one-to-one support offers, work experience and trial shift opportunities, Project SEARCH and the Level Up Network are all part of a wider package of support we’re continually developing for young people, and the Minster’s visit has only served to motivate us in doing more.”