This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Business News Education & Events Top Stories
UK Music to launch new Skills Academy
By Chris Cooke | Published on Tuesday 9 July 2013
Cross-sector trade body UK Music will later today officially launch the UK Music Skills Academy, a new strand of the National Skills Academy: Creative & Cultural Skills.
The new body aims to “build an infrastructure enabling the music industry to engage directly with skills and training providers”, with a view to better informing those educating the next generation of music business professionals as to what skills are required. The new venture will also operate a UK Music Apprenticeship scheme and stage an annual Skills Festival.
Commenting on the new initiative, UK Music boss Jo Dipple told CMU: “There are thousands of different jobs in the music industry, from marketing new artists with an innovative digital strategy to rigging lights at a gig. These jobs are hugely prized and the purpose of our Skills Academy is to provide alumni with all the necessary tools to ensure they are at the front of the queue when music businesses are looking for new talent”.
Live Nation COO Paul Latham, who already chairs Creative & Cultural Skills, will also be a patron for the new music-focused academy. He told CMU: “The UK puts on some of the best live music concerts and festivals in the world because the people working behind the stage on rigging, lighting and sound are some of the most talented and experienced in their field”.
He added: “It is the same with people working at record labels, management companies, publishers or anywhere else in the music industry. They are a fantastically creative workforce. But, we need to find and encourage a new and diverse workforce that will keep driving our industry forward and the UK Music Skills Academy will do that. It is tailored to the specific skills needs of the music industry, ensuring its students will graduate with the best chance of a rewarding job within it”.
Creative Industries Minister Ed Vaizey is amongst those due to attend an event in London tonight formally launching the new Skills Academy, and he added: “The UK has one of the most dynamic and influential creative industries in the world. Music is a crucial part of this and helps the sector punch well above its weight, making a huge contribution to our national economy and enriching our cultural lives. By training and nurturing the next generation of outstanding talent, UK Music’s Skills Academy will play an important role in maintaining our competitive and imaginative edge, and government is committed to supporting this”.
