Brit Awards to fund internships in UK music industry

The interns will get the chance to work at The Brit Awards

The team behind the Brit Awards is offering 10 people internships in the music industry around the UK.

A new apprenticeship scheme, created by the BPI and funded by the Brits' charity The Brits Trust, is giving out paid placements at independent record labels and music companies.

The roles could last up to 14 months.

The BPI, the British recorded music industry's trade body, says apprenticeships are key "to bring new and diverse talent into the industry".

Geoff Taylor, the boss of the BPI and The Brits, claims the placements "are golden tickets"

The 10 companies range from record labels and digital distributors to vinyl manufacturers and streaming apps.

Gideon Mountford leads the video team at Believe Distribution, one of the business involved in the scheme.

"If you look historically at the music industry you can definitely say there have been some truths to people with certain family backgrounds and things like that [getting ahead in the business]," he told Newsbeat.

"This [scheme] is making sure everyone has the best chance no matter their background.

"It's not about having a degree in music management or whatever.

"It's about getting a foot in the door, coming in and learning - which gives you the skills and the contacts to go out and do it yourself."

Apprentices will learn about various areas of the music industry, including how artists get their music on streaming services

The scheme is open to anyone aged 18 and over and will start in January 2018, with the chance of further employment after that.

Successful candidates will get specialist training in either business administration or digital marketing.

"If you look at the company, pretty much everybody here has been an intern at some point," said Gideon.

"The industry uses internships as a chance for people to get their foot in the door.

"They'll be getting real life experience: working with artists, managers and various platforms to see what it's like work in the industry."

The companies involved include vinyl manufacturing and distribution companies

There are six places available in London, the other four are in other areas around the UK including Monmouth in Wales, Birmingham, Norwich and Leicester.

In London the salary will be £18,000, anyone outside will get £15,000 to reflect lower living costs.

The Brit Trust will fund two thirds of the salaries - leaving participating companies to cover the remaining third.

Gideon added: "There is a lot of competition to get in there [the music industry].

"It's a great opportunity to get employed in the industry and started in the career."

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