Plans for a National Skills Academy for the live performing arts have been given the go ahead by government. The £15 million project will involve the building of a purpose built academy in Thurrock, Essex, where skills training will be offered for those wanting to work back stage in the live music sector.
Welcoming the venture, Tony Hall, boss of the Royal Opera House, told reporters: "This is a hugely significant announcement, a welcome commitment from government towards our creative industries, and recognition of the vital role that live music plays in British life. This is no fledgling industry - live music creates thousands of jobs and, in ticket sales alone, brings around £750m per year to the UK economy - and it is essential that our festivals, arenas and theatres continue to be crewed and managed by professional and well-trained staff".
Feargal Sharkey, the boss of British Music Rights, formerly head of the Live Music Forum, and the UK music business' new rent-a-quote, told reporters: "This is a longed-for announcement and will hopefully ensure our stages - from Glastonbury to Glyndebourne, from the Eden Project in Cornwall to the Sage Gateshead - are crewed and managed by the right people in years to come".