Keys to the Future is a project exploring work-related learning in the music sector. That doesn’t just mean work experience or work placements, though it includes both of those important activities. It also means looking at how the education and outreach work that music organisations carry out can have an impact on the way young people develop their skills and knowledge about working in the creative sector, sometimes linked to a qualification such as the BTEC or Arts Award.

Keys to the Future asks:

• How can music organisations offer meaningful work-related learning experiences to young people?
• What kinds of projects and placements can music organisations offer?
• How can teachers work with music organisations to provide for their students?
• What is best practice in work-related learning?
• What are the practical issues for smaller organisations?

Arts Inform has been working with Sound Connections and the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) to explore these questions with a Working Group of organisations drawn from their membership. A recent seminar event took place at Toynbee Studios where case studies of projects carried out by our Working Group were presented alongside keynote speakers including Pauline Tambling from CCSkills and the National Skills Academy. The case studies and further information will be made available online in the near future.