RETURNING for its second round, The BRITs Apprenticeship Scheme officially launched this week with talented successful applicants taking their positions at music companies across the UK.
The BRITs Apprentice Scheme is providing up to ten people from England and Northern Ireland with a paid opportunity to work at an 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 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 was devised by labels association the BPI and is being supported in large part by The BRIT Trust through funds raised through The BRIT Awards, with the remainder coming from participating companies.
Diversity recruitment specialists, DiVA, ran the recruitment process for the BPI and will also deliver regular training that they have designed, as well as manage the day-to-day operation of the programme.
The announcement of the 2019 scheme generated a great response, with 900 applications received for the openings. A number of candidates have been taken on by companies in London, whilst a further five have been recruited to work in Belfast, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Sheffield and Wolverhampton. See Notes.
The BRITs Apprentices have already received induction training and will be supported with ongoing training over the course of the programme. Music companies drawn from across the vibrant independent community – ranging from record labels and digital distributors to music management and app developers – have each taken on an apprentice, as follows:
Absolute Marketing – Label Services Assistant Apprentice (London) Bridget Branagan-Freeman
Asian Arts Agency – Junior Content Producer Apprentice (Bristol) Aashi Sonu Gahlot
BMG – Junior Content Producer Apprentice (London) Sebastian Herridge-Cade and Leona Lescault
Champion Sounds – Junior Content Producer Apprentice (Belfast) Benjamin Mangee
Fire Records – Operations Assistant Apprentice (London) Lucia Weinrichter
One Media IP – Junior Creative Technician Apprentice (Bucks) Kathyrn Brewer
Revolver Music – Product Manager Apprentice (Wolverhampton) Dominic Adam Smith
BRITs Apprentice Scheme apprentice, Aashi Gahlot, taken on by Asian Arts Agency, said: “Immediately, from the very first day we have had the opportunity to meet inspirational figures from the music industry. To hear their experiences and knowledge is invaluable to any person wanting to give their best, and the Scheme provides this support.
“I am really excited to be a part of the BRITs Apprentice Scheme. I love South Asian music. Having the chance to work and learn with Asian Arts Agency means I will be getting first-hand experience on what it takes to be one of the leading South Asian music agencies in the UK, who are dedicated to developing, promoting and supporting South Asian Arts. I aspire to gain skills in content production, artist management and insights into how the industry works.
“The BPI and DiVA have an inspired vision to help young people to live what they love to do – and this is clearly implemented through the Scheme. I found the process supportive and inspiring. Amazing things happen when people believe in people.”
Jonny Halliday, label manager at one of the participating music companies, Fire Records, said: “We’re really excited to be a part of the BRITs Apprentice Scheme 2019. We are happy to welcome our BRITs Apprentice Lucia to Fire Records. Out of a selection of great candidates from DiVA, we’ve got a fantastic new member of the team and look forward to working with them, the BPI and DiVA in developing their skills and knowledge.”
Geoff Taylor, chief executive BPI and BRIT Awards, said of the scheme at its announcement in January: “We’re delighted with how well-received the Scheme has been in its first year and pleased to announce its return for a second round. The BRITs and BPI is committed to reflecting and promoting diversity across the music industry and this Scheme is an important way in which we can open up new opportunities for young people from all backgrounds who want to pursue a career in this exciting business.”
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 The BRIT Trust and BPI have decided to support the BRITs Apprentice Scheme for a second year. The scheme is a stepping stone for new talent who ordinarily would have found it difficult to enter into the music industry. The first cohort have benefitted from a year-long, paid, meaningful work placement and training delivered by industry practitioners, all of which will stand them in good stead for the future.”
ENDS
Enquiries
For the BPI and BRIT Trust
Darren Kruse darren.kruse@bpi.co.uk 020 7803 1390
Gennaro Castaldo gennaro.castaldo@bpi.co.uk 020 7803 1326 / 07801 194 139
For DiVA
Arit Eminue arit@divaapprenticeships.com 0843 289 9204
Participating companies 2019
Absolute Label Services | www.absolutelabelservices.com/ – Wimbledon, London
Absolute Label Services is a leading provider of tailor-made sales, marketing and business management solutions for independent record labels, single-artist labels and brand-owned music labels.
Asian Arts Agency | www.asianartsagency.co.uk/ – Bristol
Asian Arts Agency is one of the UK’s leading South Asian music agencies, presenting world-class South Asian music, internationally. Over the last ten years, it has promoted more than 500 events across the UK and overseas, reaching in excess of one million live audiences.
BMG Rights Management Services | www.bmg.com/uk/ – Paddington, London
BMG is the first new international music company to be launched in the streaming age. Founded in 2008, the same week as Spotify, BMG is already world’s largest international music company outside the three established majors. Combining the traditionally separate disciplines of record label and music publisher, BMG’s service-oriented approach to artists and songwriters is based on fair treatment and transparent reporting. BMG UK clients include George Ezra, Jess Glynne, Camille Purcell, Aphex Twin and Mabel (music publishing) and Dido, Rejjie Snow, The Sherlocks, Prodigy and Kylie Minogue (records).
Champion Sound Music | www.championsoundmusic.com/- Belfast
Champion Sound Music are an award-winning music management company and associated record label based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It currently manages the careers of five full-time artists involved in the music industry. Its artists have in the past four years achieved 100 million streams on Spotify; it has had ten albums shortlisted for the Northern Ireland Music Prize; and it has won the Northern Ireland Music Prize for the past two years.
Fire Records | www.firerecords.com/ – Stoke Newington, London
Founded in 1984, Fire Records is an established independent record label based in East London, releasing music across the sonic spectrum. The label works with a diverse range of artists from around the world, incl. the likes of Hater (Sweden), Virginia Wing (UK), Kristin Hersh (USA), Jane Weaver (UK) and The Lemonheads (USA). As well as the current roster, catalogue artists include Pulp, ESG, Spacemen 3, Pere Ubu and The Groundhogs. The Earth label focuses on reissues of folk classics from Bert Jansch, The Music From Bagpuss and Trader Horne, while FROST releases soundtracks such as Ladybird, Blue Velvet, Black Mirror and more.
Kycker / Kryptic Media Ltd | www.kycker.net/ – Sheffield
Kycker is a free online platform created for artists to use to manage their DIY careers and earn a sustainable income from their music. Artists can distribute their music to over 850 platforms, including iTunes, Spotify and more. Users are also able to claim performance royalties from all live shows and radio broadcasts at the push of a button.
One Media iP | www.onemediaip.com/ – Iver Heath, Bucks
One Media iP is an exciting digital music and video business. It has a catalogue of over 250,000 music tracks, from a range of genres spanning soul to classical music and rock to pop, including from 1,700 diverse artists such as George McCrae, Merle Haggard, Ricky Valance, Edwin Starr, Evelyn Thomas, Mungo Jerry, Eric Burdon, the Troggs, Marv Johnson and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. One Media iP looks to use its tracks and 10,000 hours of video by recompiling the content for sale through digital music and video stores. In addition, One Media’s library of content is available for TV, movies, adverts and websites requiring synchronised music.
Revolver Music | www.revolverrecords.com/ – Wolverhampton
Revolver is an independent Record company, first created in 1979. The label has been an IFPI member since 1984 and a BPI member since 1988. In that time the label has released 6,000 albums, and it currently produces new artists albums at around one to two per month.
About The BRIT Trust | www.brittrust.co.uk/
Established in 1989 and entirely funded by the recorded music industry – principally through The BRIT Awards, The trust’s mission is to give young people of all backgrounds a chance to express their musical creativity regardless of race, class, gender or ability. The trust exists to promote education and wellbeing through music and to date has donated nearly £20 million to a range of progressive causes and charities, including The BRIT School, East London Arts and Music (ELAM) and Nordoff Robbins music therapy. It also supports the work of addictions and mental health charity Music Support and Key4Life, which seeks to direct young men who are in prison or at risk of going there away from a life of crime by drawing on their passion for music.
About the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) | www.bpi.co.uk
The BPI is a record labels’ association that promotes British music and champions the UK’s recorded music industry – recognised as the world’s third largest and the biggest exporter of recorded music after the US. The BPI helps safeguard the rights of its members and of all the artists, performers and record label members of collecting body PPL – who collectively create around 99 per cent of all legitimate sales and streams of music in the UK. The BPI’s membership consists of over 400 independent labels and the UK’s three ‘major’ companies, which together account for up to 85 per cent of legitimate domestic music consumption.
In 2016, UK artists were responsible for one in eight artist albums sold worldwide, helping British music exports to grow by 11 per cent to £365 million – their highest levels this century.The BPI helps to promote British music overseas through numerous trade missions as well as through the Music Exports Growth Scheme, which has awarded over £2 million in government funding to more than 150 mainly independently-signed artists since its launch in January 2014. The BPI provides valuable insights, training and networking with its free masterclasses and presentations and through its Innovation Hub, Insight Sessions and authoritative yearbook and reports.
The BPI certifies the iconic Platinum, Gold and Silver Awards Programme, co-owns the Official Charts, owns and organises The BRIT Awards with Mastercard – which, through the BPI’s charitable arm, The BRIT Trust, has raised around £20m for music education and wellbeing charities, including the BRIT School and Nordoff-Robbins music therapy. The BPI is also home to the Hyundai Mercury Prize.
About DiVA | www.divaapprenticeships.com/
DiVA is a recruitment and training organisation specialising in business, creative and digital apprenticeships. They have supported 500 individuals into work in some of the UK’s leading brands and SMEs including Universal Music Group, BBC Worldwide, Warner Music, All3 Media, Endemol Shine, Hat Trick Productions, Energy Live News, PPL, PRS, UK Music, the Southbank Centre and more. Their service to employers includes the development of an apprenticeship programme that supports existing staff and or new recruits, training and mentoring for the apprentice, free recruitment, and account management.
DiVA was the first London based independent apprenticeship training provider to be awarded the Creative Skillset ‘tick’ in recognition of the outstanding support they offer to apprentices and employers. They are MATRIX accredited and feature on the governments Register of Approved Apprenticeship Training Providers and their Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network. With around two in three employees who are from the BAME community, diversity is at the heart of the business and DiVA is fully committed to supporting its clients improve their own workforce representation.
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