Amazon Doubles Creative Industry Apprenticeship Funding to £2m

Amazon has announced a significant expansion of its support for the creative industries by introducing over 100 new apprenticeships.

The company is also doubling its creative industries apprenticeship levy funding to £2 million. The apprenticeships will be offered in various organizations across the sector, including the BRIT Trust, the Association for Independent Music, Women in CTRL, and a Screen Skills flexible apprenticeship pilot. This initiative aims to support both Amazon Original productions like "The Devil's Hour" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power," as well as non-Amazon productions such as Channel 4's popular series "Derry Girls."

According to recent analysis conducted by Capital Economics, Amazon's investments in the creative industries have had a significant impact, supporting more than 16,000 jobs in 2022. These jobs range from in-house designers to external producers, showcasing the diverse range of roles within the sector. Since 2010, Amazon has invested over £4.2 billion across various creative platforms, including Kindle Direct Publishing, Amazon Publishing, Prime Video, Audible, Amazon Fashion, Amazon Music, and Amazon Games, among others. These investments have contributed £4.8 billion in gross value (GVA) to the UK economy over the past decade.

James Campanini, CEO of tech consultancy VeUP, commended Amazon's apprenticeship program, emphasizing the importance of equipping and training the next generation of creative professionals to meet the increasing demand for technical skills in the industry. Campanini noted that the creative industries not only drive economic growth but also produce award-winning content across film, music, and literature. Initiatives like Amazon's apprenticeship program play a crucial role in addressing the barriers faced by young people aspiring to break into the industry.

In addition to the apprenticeships, Prime Video has also announced the second phase of its Prime Video Pathway initiative. This program aims to provide access to jobs in TV and film and will support an additional 250 trainees in the coming years.

John Boumphrey, VP and UK country manager at Amazon, expressed the company's commitment to supporting the UK's creative sector. He highlighted the breadth of creative industries that Amazon actively supports, ranging from TV and music to fashion and publishing. Boumphrey emphasized that Amazon's investments have significantly contributed to the UK economy and pledged continued support for the growth of the creative sector.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport, Lucy Frazer, acknowledged Amazon's dedication to leveraging the UK's rich creativity and technical expertise. She praised the company's continued investment, recognizing the alignment of its ambitions with the government's plans for the creative sectors. Frazer emphasized the importance of building on Britain's reputation as a world-class creative nation to unlock economic growth and generate job opportunities.

Amazon's expanded investment and commitment to the creative industries reflect the company's recognition of the sector's potential and its determination to foster talent and drive economic prosperity in the UK. By providing apprenticeships and supporting various creative platforms, Amazon is poised to contribute further to the growth and success of the UK's vibrant creative sector.