BRIT Awards to Fund Ten Golden Tickets to Work in the Music Industry

Talented youngsters will now get the chance to kick start their careers in the recorded music industry thanks to a new apprenticeship scheme created by the BPI and funded by money raised by the BRIT Awards.

The BRITs Apprentice Scheme will give ten young people from England and Wales a unique, high quality, paid opportunity to work at a top independent record label or music company, learn about the recorded music industry, receive practical ‘hands on’ experience, develop relevant skills and make key contacts.

The scheme was devised by UK record labels association the BPI, which owns and runs The BRIT Awards and which also developed its charitable arm, The BRIT Trust, which was set up in 1989.

Apprenticeships are an important way to help bring in new and diverse talent into the industry and are in line with the Government’s commitment to education, skills and training.

The scheme will be open to individuals aged 18 and over.  Successful applicants will be matched with independent record labels and music companies who are members of the BPI.  They will receive specialist training in either business administration or digital marketing.

The BRITs Apprentice Scheme will start in January 2018 and last 14 months up to the end of February 2019, and it is hoped will then lead to further employment opportunities in the industry.  The successful candidates will also have an opportunity to experience working at The BRIT Awards.

The deadline for applications is 17^th November 2017, and the BPI/BRIT Trust organisers are calling on interested applicants to apply as soon as possible.  Full details are available on The BRIT Trust website here.

There will be six places for candidates in London and four outside, covering Wales, Birmingham, Norwich and Leicester.  In London the salary will be £18k and outside it will be £15k to reflect lower living costs.  The BRIT Trust will fund two thirds of each salary – leaving the participating companies to cover the remaining third (approx. £5k or £6k). 

Ten music companies drawn from across the vibrant independent community – ranging from record labels and digital distributors to vinyl and CD manufacturers and streaming app services – have signed up to take on an apprentice. 

The Scheme will be overseen by the BPI, while its day-to-day operation will be provided by DiVA – the recruitment and training organisation specialising in business, creative and digital apprenticeships, whose experienced experts have a successful track record in delivering apprentices in the creative industries. 

Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive BPI & BRIT Awards, said:

“Everyone connects the BRIT Awards with the best of British music and with dynamic young talent, so it’s right that, through its charitable arm The BRIT Trust, the BRITs brand should demonstrate the value of music by giving music fans with exciting potential a major opportunity to get into the industry they love. These apprenticeships are like golden tickets and will open up a range of opportunities for ten talented individuals who are passionate about working at a record label or in a music company.”

The Scheme will be funded via The BRIT Trust, which distributes money raised by The BRIT Awards and other industry events to promote education and wellbeing through music. The BRIT Trust has to date awarded millions of Pounds to range of charities and good causes, principally The BRIT School, which it helped to set up, East London Arts and Music (ELAM), Nordoff Robbins music therapy, War Child, Key4Life, and other to organisations, including the addictions and mental health charity Music Support.

John Craig OBE, Chairman of The BRIT Trust, said:

“It is a key part of The BRIT Trust’s mission to help young people through music and we have already done a huge amount of work through The BRIT School, Nordoff Robbins and other charities that promote education and wellbeing through music.  We’re delighted to be able to support The BRITs Apprentice Scheme to give talented young people the opportunity and practical training that could help change their lives.”

Arit Eminue, Director DiVA, said:

“DiVA is delighted to collaborate with the BRIT Trust and BPI in the delivery of the BRITs Apprentice Scheme, which opens the gates of the music industry to the next generation of music talent.

“DiVA is a bridge between the creative industry and talent.  We have a wealth of experience of apprenticeship development and delivery that supports workforce diversity, talent retention and skills development. We’re excited to meet and look forward to supporting the golden tickets holders in the development of their careers.”