Minister for Employment Jo Churchill MP spoke to young people employed through the club’s employability programmes

Jo Churchill, Minister For Employment on a tour of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — Minister For Employment Jo Churchill on a tour of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Minister for Employment Jo Churchill MP paid a visit to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to meet local young people who have gained job opportunities through the club’s job employability programmes.

Churchill also visited Percy House, home of the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation charity provides one-to-one employment advice for jobseekers alongside interview skills and CV training, as well as hosting major jobs fairs.

The stadium and its events and attractions support 3,700 full-time equivalent jobs for people across Haringey, Enfield and Waltham Forest – 2,800 in Haringey specifically – including 1,800 directly employed by the club, 1,600 supported through supply chains and a further 300 as a result of “induced effects”.

Haringey has 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 on her visit was Kareem Mavideniz, 19, who has received one-to-one CV and interview support from Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, and now works at the stadium’s newest attraction, F1 Drive London, a go-karting venue under the stadium.

Minister meeting some of the young people who have benefited from employability programmes at Percy House — Churchill meeting some of the young people who have benefited from employability programmes at Percy House

Kareem 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 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.”

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