The launch of a new #10m academy to train workers for the live music sector has moved a step closer with the drawing up of a timetable of action.

The National Skills Academy for the Creative and Cultural Industries now has until mid-March to finish a consultation exercise about the academy before preparing its business plan to deliver to the Education Secretary Alan Johnson in April.

The National Skills Academy project steering group, which is co-chaired by Royal Opera House chief executive Tony Hall and Live Music Forum chairman Feargal Sharkey, would expect to be given the decision on its bid in September, with the new school primed to open in 2009.

It is hoped the new training academy could help school around 2,000 people each year in skills ranging from rigging to lighting - skills that are presently in very short supply in the live music sector and have prevented some acts from mounting tours.

Sharkey says, “The industry is telling us it could be out there worldwide doing a lot more and can’t for lack of people with the right skills. The National Skills Academy is all about creating the structured way of getting into the industry that we’ve always lacked and helping everyone to achieve their full international potential.”

Currently, 50 leading music industry employers are being grilled in focus groups and one-to-one interviews in the consultation process, which will ask questions such as where the the academy should be sited (a site in the Thames Gateway has been earmarked), which courses and colleges should be involved and what the academy should be called. Interested parties can also contribute through the website www.ccskills.org.uk.

The project has support from trade and representative bodies including Big Life Management, Live Nation, EMI Group, MU, Live Music Forum and the Production Services Association. A spokesman for the project team says it is also ramping up its efforts to raise the necessary #3m needed from the industry to ensure the Government provides funds of around #7m towards the project.

Big Life Management, EMI Group, live music, Live Music Forum, Live Nation, MU, music training, Production Services Association, Royal Opera House

Orange Plymouth Music Week was the city’s most successful music festival to date, say the event’s organisers.

More than 21,500 people attended a range of concerts over the week, which took place last October.

The festival bought big names to the city, including Razorlight and Keane at Plymouth Pavilions and Seth Lakeman at the University of Plymouth Students’ Union.

In fact, there were 12 sell-out concerts compared to just two in 2005.

Highlights of the event included Seth’s concert at the University of Plymouth and Ecco Jones at a Herald-sponsored gig at the Hub.

Elsewhere Reuben bought sweaty rock chic to The White Rabbit while Jazz Jamaica had audiences raving over their fusion of reggae jazz.

Legendary music producer Joe Boyd, famous for his work with Pink Floyd, REM and Fairport Convention, also made an appearance at one of four Major Music Industry Seminars, at which attendance was almost double the previous year.

The week coincided with the 10th anniversary of Plymouth Chamber Music Trust, Local sponsors, including The Herald, Plymouth Gin and 24/7 Magazine were invited to a reception at the Council House on January 8 where the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Michael Fletcher, presented them with certificates in recognition of their support.

At the event Councillor Chris Mavin praised the festival that he said had brought the city to life.

“By bringing quality acts into the city and providing a platform for local talent, Plymouth Music Week has quickly grown into the biggest music festival in the area,” he said.

It was also announced that Music Week organisers, Plymouth Music Industry Group, is looking for a new headline sponsor “Orange’s representatives have told us they were delighted with the success of last year’s event,” said Oli James of Plymouth Music Collective.

“However, the firm is undergoing a restructure which has resulted in a change to their sponsorship priorities. This has affected three regional music festivals including Plymouth Music Week,” Mr James said.

concerts, fairport convention, jazz jamaica, legendary music, music festival, music festivals, music industry, music week, pink floyd, plymouth gin, plymouth pavilions, razorlight, regional music, university of plymouth

The first MusicTank debate of this year will focus on the pricing structure and price level of downloads. The Great Digital Debate: How Do You Divvy Up A Download? takes place at Bertorelli’s restaurant in central London on February 6.

central london, digital debate