Access Creative College joins UK Music’s Music Academic Partnership

Access Creative College (@Access_Creative) has joined UK Music’s Music Academic Partnership (MAP) as its first ever Further Education (FE) member. 

This is an exciting move for the music industry’s talent pipeline. UK Music represents the UK’s commercial music industry and sees supporting the next generation as well as those educating and training them as vital to ensure the music industry’s future success.

The Music Academic Partnership works to create ever stronger links between industry and educational institutions. With technical education going through many changes and FE level courses playing an ever more important role in music’s talent pipeline it is a fantastic moment to cement the links between FE and industry. 

MAP provides opportunities through events and networking for students, teachers and researchers as well as the opportunity for MAP members to inform UK Music’s lobbying on skills and education. ACC prides itself on its industry led approach and have an entire programme dedicated to bridging the gap between education and the industry, making this the perfect partnership.

The hugely successful Access Creative College include artists such as Ed Sheeran (who is now their patron), JP Cooper, Rita Ora and many more amongst their alumni. With seven campuses across the UK offering courses in music, media, games, events and computing ACC has a real positive impact upon the lives and careers of many individuals interested in careers in the creative industries.

The first activity as a partnership between ACC and UK Music was UK Music providing two of their regular guest speakers as part of ACC’s Industry Week schedule in November. Industry Week takes place every year and is packed full of speakers and workshops, giving ACC students access to experts in their creative field.

These guest sessions were provided by musician and YouTuber Emma McGann and beatboxer/producer and artist Shlomo. Both artists hosted engaging and informative online sessions for ACC students in Norwich as part of a packed programme of events.

Through the UK Music partnership, ACC have also started to speak to different university institutions from their Music Academic Partnership and scheduled a session with Solent University during Industry Week too.

The partnership has also seen collaborations between MAP’s Higher Education members and ACC to help students understand potential destinations when they finish their study with ACC. Ensuring a diverse range of students achieve their potential is key and being a part of this network will help support this important mission. UK Music undertakes a wide range of careers outreach and being able to communicate with potential students about a range of trusted educational partners is hugely beneficial for all.

Jamie Njoku-Goodwin CEO UK Music said: 

“UK Music is really excited to have Access Creative College (ACC) join our Music Academic Partnership (MAP) as its newest member. It’s an important time for technical education and skills and having a Further Education member join is a real boost.

MAP was established to develop closer links between the music industry and education providers for the benefit of all. With ACC joining MAP UK Music can not only work more closely on technical education with a trusted partner but also further link up the talent pipeline through closer ties between Further Education and Higher Education MAP members.

UK Music and all our current MAP members welcome this fantastic new member and look forward to working together with ACC to strengthen the music industry’s talent pipeline.”

Ian Johnson Head of Music Industry Liaison and Talent Management ACC said:

“This new strategic partnership with UK Music is a very exciting phase in our relationship, we have previously worked on projects with Oli and the team but this new chapter formalises that commitment to work together for the benefit of our students. ACC has long admired the important work UK Music does and we are honoured to be the first F.E. member of their Music Academic Partnership initiative.”

Sam Hill, Senior Director, Global Digital Marketing, BMG said:

“It’s great to see the partnership between Access Creative College and UK Music as it’s more vital than ever that we inject the British music industry with as much fresh and diverse talent as possible.  As ACC alumni, I know how useful the courses they offer are and I think the extra insight into the working industry via UK Music can only be a benefit to both students looking to learn and music companies looking to hire.”