Rap sensation Romzy interviews Sadiq Khan at London's biggest skills fair

: Created: 16 November 2019

The annual jobs and careers fair held at ExCel London, welcomed over 30,000 visitors during the two-day event and is aimed at showcasing the many career opportunities available for 15-24 year olds.

London South East Colleges’ stand was designed as a TV production studio, giving visitors the chance to ‘have-a-go’ at filming, interviewing and editing. Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London was given a tour of the stand and underwent a 60 second interview with Romzy.

As a former student of the College’s Greenwich Campus, 18-year old Romzy (Romario Shersmith-Adams) from Woolwich is signed to Warner Bros. Records and regularly performs at some of the country’s biggest music events and festivals. Romzy enrolled on the Production Arts Level 3 Diploma to complement his music career with a range of new technical skills.

During the 60 second interview, Romzy asked the Mayor what education and career advice he would give to his fifteen-year-old self if he could go back. The Mayor replied he would tell himself to go out with confidence and explore all the opportunities on offer, visiting his local college to find out from tutors how to get started. "It's all about building confidence, asking questions and even visiting an event like this to talk to employers and learn about the different routes available into some of the UK's biggest business and service sectors. Everybody is entitled to success, but that success requires hard work and direction."

As well as welcoming the Mayor to the stand, Romzy spoke alongside him at the event’s opening ceremony, together with Jasmine Whitbread, Chief Executive of London First. Addressing the audience, Romzy explained why he had chosen to go to college: “Although my career as a rapper had begun to take off, I was determined to learn more about the craft of theatre sound and lighting techniques, stage sets and costume design. I felt this would help me to create my own unique onstage brand and character and take ownership of my career.

Romzy then went on to explain why he feels that education and training is so important. He said: “I believe it has a key role to play in helping to reduce knife crime. By opening up options and pathways to help young people stay away from, or to move away from gangs and knife crime, to achieve and make positive life choices.”

As well as the pop up production studio, the London South East Colleges’ stand also hosted hospitality and catering, hair and beauty, 3D printing and virtual welding (care-of The Mayors Construction Academy) demonstrations and displayed production arts model boxes. The College’s campervan served as a selfie spot and visitors were able to apply for courses and sign up for newsletters.

SN/PW