Talented youngsters who successfully applied for year-long BRITs Apprenticeships at British music companies have started in their new roles today.
The BRITs Apprentice Scheme is providing ten people from England and Wales with a paid opportunity to work at a top independent record label or music company where they can learn about the recorded music industry, receive practical ‘hands on’ experience, develop relevant skills, and make key contacts.
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 has been devised by UK record labels association the BPI and is being funded in large part by monies raised by its event The BRIT Awards distributed through the BPI’s charitable arm, The BRIT Trust. The remainder will come from the participating companies. DiVA managed the recruitment process, have designed, and will deliver the training as well as manage the day-to-day operation of the programme.
The BPI’s announcement of the Scheme, in October 2017, generated a huge response, with over 700 applications received for the 10 openings1. Six candidates have been taken on by companies in London and the South-East following interviews in December, whilst a further four have been recruited to work at companies based in Birmingham, Norwich, Monmouth (Wales) and Leicester* (*in the process of being finalised). See Notes to Editors for full details.
The BRITs Apprentices have already received induction training and will be supported with ongoing training over the course of the year. 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 each taken on an apprentice, as follows:
London
A&G Songs / Craig Jelf (22 years)
Believe Distribution Services / Jamal Wambugu (23 years)
INgrooves Music Group / Ella Harding (21 years)
Key Production Group / Toneka Bona (20 years)
Kudos Records / Lydia Blackburn (19 years)
[PIAS] Emily Taylor (22 years)
Regional
Horus Music (Leicester) / TBC
Punch Records (Birmingham) / Alka Droch (23 years)
SupaPass (Norwich) / Chris Sellers (24 years)
Wyastone/Nimbus Records (Monmouth, Wales) / Oliver Jones (23 years)
Alka Droch – taken on by Birmingham-based Punch Records – comments: “The BRITs Apprenticeship Scheme has granted me the perfect opportunity to develop my creative vision and gain first hand music industry knowledge. I am thrilled to begin my music career with the support of BPI and Punch Records.”
Ella Harding says of her appointment to INgrooves: “Music has always been such a big part of my life in terms of my hobby, but being able to make it my day-to-day job is my ultimate goal. I am so excited to start this apprenticeship as it will give me that opportunity to see behind the scenes and the chance to establish a career in the music industry that will hopefully set me on my way to achieving my goals and aspirations.”
Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive BPI & BRIT Awards, said of the Scheme at its launch in October: “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.
He now adds: “We congratulate all the BRITs Apprentices on their appointment and extend our very best wishes in the fervent hope they will gain a valuable and rewarding experience that, in turn, will help provide the foundation of a career in the music industry.”
Arit Eminue, Director DiVA, said: “We are delighted to welcome the BRITs Apprentices into the DiVA family, and look forward to working with them over the coming months. The application process was incredibly competitive reflecting the wealth of talent looking to break into the music business, reinforcing the need for apprenticeship programmes like the BRITs Apprentice Scheme.”
