MUMBAI:  Young people across the UK are set to benefit from the creation of more than 30 paid internships in the music industry thanks to The Big Music Project, announced the BPI.

Funded by The Big Lottery Fund, The Big Music Project is a partnership between the UK’s biggest music and entertainment brands.  Capital FM and BPI are working alongside youth work charity, UK Youth, to help young people from all corners of the UK take a step closer to their dream career.

Five young people dreaming of a career in music will have the opportunity to work for one of the biggest music shows of the year, The BRIT Awards, whilst Capital FM are offering budding producers the chance to gain experience through an internship at the leading radio station in 2015.

More than 25 additional music organisations across Northern Ireland and England have stepped up to offer three to twelve month-long placements for all young people aged 18 and over as part of The Big Music Project.  Internships in Wales and Scotland are currently being sourced and will be announced shortly.

Overall, the initiative has made available ?125,000 to part-fund the internships, with each successful applicant being paid the London Living Wage or the Living Wage for the rest of the UK.

Geoff Taylor, chief executive of the BPI and The BRIT Awards, said, "Through The Big Music Project we have already welcomed more than 3,000 young people to four national events showcasing the variety of careers available in music, inspired thousands of music fans at UK Youth Hubs around the country to organise community music projects using the BRIT School toolkit, and identified hundreds of talented young musicians with a shot at being judged by industry as the "Next BRIT Thing" in the Big Music Competition.

"Offering the next generation of talent the chance to experience working in this exciting business is a vital pillar of this Project. They'll experience some of the wide range of jobs that support artists in getting their music to fans, and contribute to a business that has reinvented itself for a digital world and which welcomes fresh talent and new thinking".  

BPI chairman Tony Wadsworth CBE added, "The BPI’s leading role in the Big Music Project reinforces our commitment to sharing with young people the opportunities available in and around our industry for meaningful, rewarding and sustainable careers.”

 A wide range of roles are up for grabs including openings in PR, digital distribution, music development, event management, charity support, music management, music recording and production, publishing, ticketing, sync, radio and social media.  All vacancies will be advertised on The Big Music Project and via individual company websites.

Companies and charities supporting The Big Music Project Internships are based in Leeds, Leicester, Derby, Birmingham, Newcastle, Essex, Oxford, London, Bath, Belfast and more.  They include Attitude is Everything, Blast Recording, Buddybounce, I Like Press, Independent Music Group Ltd, Name PR, Oh Yeah Music Centre, Third Bar, The Orchard, Tumi Music, and WeGotTickets.

On Track – the BPI’s careers initiative which has previously helped BPI members to hire interns through the equality charity, Creative Access – is a central part of the Project, ensuring that future music leaders benefit from hands-on experience in real working environments.  The Big Music Project Internships build on the one hundred plus roles that are offered annually by the major record labels, from work experience and paid internships to apprenticeships and graduate schemes.