2008's Most Skilled BRITs

22-02-2008 11:56

LSC reveals the true talents of this year’s BRIT losersLondon, 21 February: Despite there only being a handful of bands and artists coming away from last night’s BRIT Awards as winners, the Learning and Skills Council can reveal that this year’s nominees are by no means short of skills and talent. In fact, amongst 2008’s BRIT winners and losers there are college graduates, professional athletes, dancers, DJs, teachers and even a fireman - proving that musicians today are very aware that they need to work hard to secure, and to safeguard, their careers.Super-skilled BRIT nominees, although not all winners, include highly acclaimed DJ Mark Ronson, who studied Psychology at college and Music Theory at university before pursuing a musical career; The Editors, who all met whilst studying Music Technology at university in Staffordshire; and KT Tunstall, whose studies at school and college led her to Royal Holloway College before following her passion for music. These celebrated musicians all understand the value of gaining essential qualifications to complement their career choices and to secure their future employability, should their dreams of stardom not come true. By achieving the minimum set of qualifications – five GCSEs grades A*-C or a vocational qualification at Level 2 – young people can improve their future career opportunities. This is all the more achievable for today’s teenagers, with so many alternative routes to success and the possibility of financial support of up to £30 a week thanks to the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).Winners of this year’s BRITs Critics Choice Award and Female Solo Artist, Adele and Kate Nash, ensured that they had some serious training up their sleeves to secure the success of their musical careers, both studying at the renowned Brit School – also known for having produced talents such as Leona Lewis, Katie Melua and The Feeling.Along with Adele and Kate Nash, The Hoosiers, losers in the category of best British Single last night, are also winners in the hidden skills stakes with members Sharlando and Sparkes both having spent time playing American football in the US and bass player Skarendah previously making his living as a fireman in Sweden! They can certainly be confident that they have plenty of skills to fall back on should Worried About Ray prove to be their only hit.

Quirky solo artist Bat for Lashes also admits that her studies in Music and Visual Art at Brighton had a huge influence on her artistic direction, right down to the design of her outfits and onstage performances. Furthermore, Bat for Lashes is also a qualified nursery school teacher proving that even the most committed and passionate of musicians knows there has to be a contingency plan.

Ruth Bullen, Director of Young People’s Learning at the Learning and Skills Council, comments: “It is very revealing to find that even major celebrities were determined to get a strong set of skills and qualifications before pursuing careers in the music industry. By doing this they have secured their future, whatever happens. We are increasingly aware how fickle the celebrity and showbiz worlds are in terms of continued success. It is essential for all young people to have the necessary qualifications whatever their chosen career.”

For those interested in pursuing a career in music or in any other industry, achieving Level 2 equips people to make the best start. To find out more about the courses available, visit http://dcsf.gov.uk/prospectus