A WILTSHIRE business received funding to support students in Swindon and the rest of the county who want to start a career in the music industry.

Blendid Media and Artists has been awarded cash from the Youth Music Incubator Fund which will be used to deliver another round of their Music Industry Insights and Skills Development Programme.

This supports 18-25 year olds from Wiltshire, Swindon, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, West Berkshire and North East Somerset who are looking to work as a musician or behind-the-scenes.

Successful applicants will be offered paid roles on the 12 week programme which starts later this month - apply by January 24.

Participants will work on real-life music industries projects and experience workshops, expert talks and networking events - and involvement with live events including festivals may be possible, if Covid restrictions allow.

Coaching will be provided with time for reflection and personal development, and supported skills and knowledge training to help make career-related decisions. 

The course provides training for entrepreneurial skills, identifying income opportunities, monetising and generating income streams, PR skills, writing press releases, social media strategy and management, content creation, networking skills, personal and professional development skills, confidence building, CV and LinkedIn profile creation, presentations and pitching skills, and interview preparation.

The company delivering the scheme is a music artist agency and management business which represents platinum and gold selling music artists, and performers, bands and DJs from all over the world.

This project is supported by Youth Music’s Incubator Fund, thanks to funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, and in partnership with YouTube and the Postcode Culture Trust.

Founder Gina Akers said: “I’m absolutely delighted we have again been awarded funding through Youth Music’s Incubator Fund, so we can offer our ‘Music Industry Insights & Skills Development Programme’, to young people in 2022. This is an exciting opportunity for young people and the music industries, and a true investment into culture in the Wiltshire and Swindon areas”.

Visit www.blendid.co.uk and/or email gina@blendid.co.uk