PRS for Music launches Apprenticeship scheme
PRS for Music Apprenticeship scheme aims to improve access to jobs in the music industry
PRS for Music, the organisation that collects royalties for over 100,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers, today launched an apprenticeship programme. The initiative is backed by the Arts Council’s Creative Employment Programme, delivered by Creative & Cultural Skills, which is contributing £2,000 towards each apprenticeship. Since 2008, Creative & Cultural Skills has created over 3000 Creative Apprenticeships contributing £2.8 million to the local economy.
I welcome the launch of PRS for Music’s new apprenticeship programme, providing young people with the opportunity to work in the music industry, gain valuable experience and develop their careers. We need to do all we can to support employers of all sizes in taking on apprentices. I am particularly pleased that a large employer with a strong presence in my constituency is going to be taking on more apprentices.
One of our core objectives is to support the creativity and talent of our songwriter and music publisher members and it is equally important to develop the talents and experience of both existing and future employees. As the largest employer within the music industry we are delighted to lead the way in offering a younger and vital generation an opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge that will sustain them throughout their careers.
PRS for Music is dedicated to investing in the futures of those wishing to enter the music industry. The organisation is a partner in the Spanish Erasmus Programme, offering students work placements in the PRS for Music International department while also offering regular, paid internships in its Member Services department to students at affiliated music colleges. This September also sees five music business and songwriting students sponsored by PRS for Music last year, graduate from the Brighton Institute of Contemporary Music (BIMM).
Initially there are two PRS for Music apprenticeships available: in IT and Business Development, aimed at 16–24 year olds who are unemployed. The IT apprentice will be mentored in Oracle programming (PL/SQL), testing, systems/user analysis and project management skills while supporting the PRS for Music systems used to process music royalties and licences, while the Business Development apprentice will become a vital part of PRS for Music’s Pan-European Licensing team, providing research on the European music market. Successful completion of the apprenticeship programme will also qualify the candidates for a Level 3 NVQ.
Notes to Editors
- The recruitment process starts in September and the two apprenticeships will run from November 2013 – November 2014.
- The positions will be advertised on the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) website and with Jobcentre Plus – PRS for Music website.
- The qualifications at completion of their apprenticeship will be:
IT Apprentice – Advanced Level Apprenticeship in ICT Web Development in the Apprenticeship sector for occupations in Business and Information Technology. Level 3 NVQ
Business Development – Level 3 NVQ in Business Administration which is equivalent to 2 A Levels. - The successful candidate will be aged 16 - 24 and does not require a degree or any formal qualification.
- The rate of pay will be the national minimum wage (£6.31ph as at October 2013).
More information regarding the Creative Employment Programme that is delivered by Creative & Cultural Skills can be found here:
About Creative & Cultural Skills
Creative & Cultural Skills is an independent charity supporting the skills and training needs of the UK’s creative and cultural industries. We lead the campaign for fair access to the creative and cultural industries, and have created over 3,000 Creative Apprenticeships in the UK since 2008. We deliver through our Skills Academy, a growing network employers and training providers who are committed to the provision of high quality, industry-relevant creative education and training, apprenticeships and careers advice. We are licensed as a Sector Skills Council by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills. For further information, please visit www.ccskills.org.uk
About the Creative Employment Programme
The Creative Employment Programme (CEP) is a £15m Arts Council England lottery funded scheme to support the creation of new work opportunities for unemployed people aged 16-24. The Creative Employment Programme is being delivered by Creative & Cultural Skills and will run from March 2013 until March 2015, aiming to generate:
- Up to 1,600 traineeships
- Up to 2,900 apprenticeships.
- Up to 2,000 paid internships.
The CEP fund is designed to respond to the high level of youth unemployment in England today. We expect that the opportunities created will help young people at different stages of their working life make a step towards sustained employment. We want to encourage participation in the programme from those with or without work experience; graduates and non-graduates; and young people from across all socio-economic groups.
The CEP fund is also designed to address recruitment practices across the creative sector, and increase the number of entry routes for young people. By broadening entry routes and improving recruitment practices we want to help strengthen the arts and cultural workforce so it can thrive for many years to come.
About PRS for Music
PRS for Music is a world-leading music collective management organisation representing the rights of more than 165,000 talented songwriters, composers and music publishers around the globe. Headquartered in the UK, it works diligently on behalf of its members to grow and protect the value of their rights. With a focus on innovation and integrity, PRS for Music is redefining the global standard for music royalties to ensure creators are paid whenever their musical compositions and songs are streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed and played in public. In 2022, PRS for Music collected £964m and paid out £836.2m in royalties. prsformusic.com
