Report calls for ‘cross industry coalition’ to improve young people’s access to music

Industry Connect, a new research report from national charity Youth Music has revealed a need for better collaboration across the education sector and music industry to help young creatives overcome barriers to entering the industry. The charity is now calling for the creation of a ‘cross industry coalition’ to close the gap between learning and earning.

The new report identifies the issues faced by young people entering the music industry, as well as finding significant gaps in music education. Barriers identified in the report include a lack of resources for young people’s ‘innovation and fresh thinking’, not enough mentoring opportunities for newcomers to the music industry, and a lack of a centralised strategy to bridge the gap between industry, education and government. 

Youth Music CEO Matt Griffiths said: ‘This is not the time for the industry to rest on its laurels, rather, the government, the wider industry and education professionals must commit to revolutionising the learning opportunities on offer, to ensure that young people have access to the necessary support to succeed. Our Industry Connect recommendations are vital to establish an inclusive music industry fit for the future. They set out a clear pathway for continued growth and to ensure it’s a place for young people from all backgrounds to make and monetise music, not just the privileged few, on and off stage.’

The charity has set out recommendations including a national music strategy offering a joined-up approach to the music industry and education sector, re-imagining the curriculum and careers advice offered to students, establishing safer working cultures in the music industry, enhancing ‘non-formal pathway programmes’ and increasing access to financial support when entering the industry.

In the coming year the charity is set to launch a national initiative designed to support 18–30-year-olds from underrepresented communities and support workforce development and music industry growth. Youth Music is now calling on the government, industry professionals and music educators to collaborate in support of this joined-up approach.

The report was conducted by independent researchers Kate McBain and Dan Tsu, of BIMM University and Lyrix Organix respectively, who consulted with 280 people from 200 organisations, and 50 young creatives across the UK.