Following its launch in January 2018, the BPI’s BRITs Apprentice Scheme is back for a third round to offer further exciting opportunities to young people looking to develop a career in the music industry.

Applications by companies to take part in the Scheme can be made here, with and FAQ here.

The BRITs Apprentice Scheme gives up to 10 individuals from diverse backgrounds who are looking to start out in the music business a high quality, paid opportunity to fast-track their careers.  The 15-month long scheme, which is run for the BPI by recruitment and training specialists DiVA, at the same time provides mainly small and medium sized independent music companies with a highly cost-effective means to recruit and train the additional staffing resource they need. 

The Scheme is open to anyone aged 18 and over, with applications for this third cohort expected to open in the summer, with a view to apprentices starting in November 2021. Typical openings suited to an apprentice role include positions in marketing, administration, digital media, business affairs, licensing and A&R.  The BPI and BRIT Awards supported music industry charity The BRIT Trust funds all the training, and provides two thirds of the apprentice’s salary, with the remaining portion being covered by the host company.

Applications for candidates will open in Summer 2021.

The Scheme has a successful track record, with the vast majority of the apprentices taken on in the first two rounds either being offered and taking up permanent employment with their host companies or using the experience gained to go on and find employment elsewhere in the music industry. 

For this latest round, by way of presenting apprentices with an even wider range of possible options while further boosting its regional credentials, the BPI is extending the scheme to include non-members so that they can now also apply to become a host company.

Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive BPI, BRIT Awards & Mercury Prize, said:

“The BPI is delighted to bring back The BRITs Apprentice Scheme for a third iteration, made possible by the generous support of our industry charity The BRIT Trust. We set out to help develop career pathways into the music business for new starters drawn from diverse backgrounds, and it’s brilliant to see so many of the apprentices find permanent employment in our industry. We hope that by now extending the scheme to non BPI members, new applicants will be presented with an even broader choice of companies around the UK.” 

Tony Wadsworth CBE, Chair of The BRIT Trust, said:

“It’s vital that anyone with a passion for music who has the talent or potential to contribute to our industry is given every opportunity to join it and make their mark.  Job creation programmes such as the BRITs Apprentice Scheme help to break down barriers and provide just such a starting point, and with training and on-the-job education such a feature of the scheme, it meets The BRIT Trust’s remit perfectly.”

Arit Eminue, Director DiVA, said:

“There is growing evidence that the pandemic has negatively impacted the employment prospects for young people at a higher rate than other demographics. This impact is felt deeper by those from marginalised groups. I am therefore delighted The BRIT Trust is addressing this through the continued funding of the BRITs Apprenticeship Scheme, which is a much-needed lifeline to young people who want to develop their careers in the music industry.”

Debs Cutting, Financial Director Absolute Label Services, host company in 2019/2020, said:

“Absolute is proud to participate in the BRITs Apprentice Scheme. We have found the apprenticeship path to be a very successful route to recruiting and retaining diverse talent. Our apprentices have demonstrated a strong work ethic, with many bringing actual skills and work experience to the role. This has a huge value to us as a team and a business.”

2019/2020 BRITs Apprentice Scheme apprentice testimonials

Lucia Weinrichter, Digital Marketing Co-ordinator with FIRE Records, said:

“The BRITs Apprentice Scheme has quite simply changed my life. It has given me the opportunity to access a highly competitive industry and made me feel supported every step of the way. Thanks to the scheme, a company that seems ‘unreachable’ can become your next dream job.

“The transition from apprentice to full-time employee has been a smooth process thanks to the training provided. During the apprenticeship, the tutors created an approachable learning environment, and the webinars and masterclasses complemented nicely the tasks that you execute on your work placement. This is an exceptional opportunity to develop yourself professionally and personally. A truly enriching initiative!”

Ben Magee, Company Director and artist manager, content creator, PR agent and tour manager with New Champion Management, said:

“The BRITs Apprentice Scheme was a colossal experience for me. It came along at a time where I was finding it difficult to establish myself in a meaningful way in the arts and was fast-losing confidence. I was afforded training, skills, connection, self-esteem and a place of employment that has set me up to a meaningful and fulfilling career within the music industry, to the point where I was able to formally start my own company and take on artists and freelance work of my own.

“To this day, I still use many of the skills in content creation and management that I learned from my mentors. I have nothing but praise for our guest mentors, George Ebenezer, Daren Dixon, Kieran Yates, Franklin Boateng and the DiVA/BRITs staff, who were helpful, supportive and informative at every junction.

“Having the funding support of The BRITs Apprentice Scheme in Northern Ireland has also been crucial – as an underdeveloped region within the music industry compared to the likes of London or Dublin, being able to grow in my home city, develop local artists and create entertainment that my fellow Belfastians could revel in continues to be life-affirming, none of which would be possible without the support of the BPI and The BRIT Trust.”