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UK Music launches Internship Code Of Practice

By | Published on Thursday 20 November 2014

UK Music

UK Music yesterday launched a new Internship Code Of Practice for the good old music industry, in partnership with action group Intern Aware.

The trade body has published a guide, which informs employers of their responsibilities when hiring interns – including how much they should be paid – and offers young people advice on how to avoid poor quality or unpaid positions.

Launching the code of practice, UK Music CEO Jo Dipple said: “Music is one of the UK’s strongest cultural assets, to maintain our standing, we must ensure that our businesses are filled with the most talented people, constantly refreshed from the widest pool of creative talent. Internships are a fantastic way for a young person to get their foot in the door, but we must attract and retain people from all walks of life and all backgrounds. Diversity is a necessity, not an option”.

She continued: “Our research shows that despite common myths, people perceive music as an open industry. This means we must ensure that music companies offer paid internships to maximise the number of candidates applying to any role. The policies and advice in this guide will ensure that employers respect every young person for their talent and not their ability to work for free. Adherence to this code will benefit both the employers and the intern”.

Intern Aware’s Gus Baker added: “Unpaid internships make access to the music industry exclusive and rule out talented young people who can’t afford to work for free. We are delighted to be supporting UK Music’s fantastic new guidance which will help ensure fair access to the music business”.

Download the guide for music companies and young people here.



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