19/11/2015: Today UK Music hosted a special music industry Apprenticeship Breakfast at the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. The event brought together over one hundred potential music industry employers from across the UK to showcase the creative and commercial impact that apprentices can bring to British music businesses.
Culture Minister, Ed Vaizey MP appeared on a special panel hosted by UK Music alongside existing employers and their respective apprentices past and present, who shared their own experiences and the benefits of the UK Music Apprenticeship Scheme to companies first hand.
Last year the UK music industry contributed £4.1 billion towards the UK economy, with year-on-year growth twice the speed of the wider economy. Music currently supports over 117,000 full time workers across the UK. The Government recently stated its intentions to help provide three million new apprenticeships by 2020. It is essential that the music industry continues to recognise the value of finding and employing exceptional non-graduate 16-24 year olds, whilst giving them entry-level opportunities to help shape the future of our sector.
Following the inital successes generated from placing in excess of fifty young apprentices within the music industry during the first two years of the scheme, UK Music has led on another new consortium funding bid to Creative & Cultural Skills’ Creative Employment Programme. Through the next wave of apprentices, we can continue to grow the skills base so vital for maintaining a vibrant music industry, whilst providing passionate young people with real opportunities to gain vital experience, paid employment and training.
Jo Dipple, UK Music Chief Executive said: “UK Music’s Apprenticeship Breakfast will encourage more music industry businesses to see the value of the taking on an apprentice. I am committed to ensuring that UK Music puts more hardworking 16-24 year olds into apprenticeships, taking their first steps towards their dream jobs within the music industry.”
Ed Vaizey MP, Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy said: “UK Music’s apprenticeship scheme is a great example of industry professionals working together to provide life-changing opportunities for young people who want to start a career in the music industry. The Government continues to support the UK music industry – our work to introduce a UK-wide levy to help fund apprenticeships will help make sure that young people gain the experience they need to secure employment in the music sector.”
UK MUSIC’S APPRENTICESHIP BREAKFAST
Location: Room C, Department of Business, Innovation and Skills
Conference Centre, 1 Victoria Street
Date: Thursday 19th November 2015
Time: 9am-10am