Live music industry body CrewCare will receive a A$190,000 (£108,000/€126,000) grant from the Victoria Government to train and deliver more job-ready music crew.
As Australian music fans return to gigs, concerts and festivals, the Andrews Labor Government is looking to invest in the behind-the-scenes workers that keep the live music industry running smoothly.
The funding will support CrewCare to deliver ‘A Pathway to Jobs in Live Music: The Weasel Eicke Scholarship’, which will equip participants with the necessary skills and experience to start working in the sector.
The scholarship was named after production industry veteran Wellesley ‘Weasel’ Eicke, and will cater for production students and crew workers looking to re-enter the workforce with skills, experience and possible industry connections.
The program will further help Victorian music festivals and event producers to staff international tours and festivals scheduled for 2022 and beyond.
It is the second time the Victoria Government has partnered with CrewCare to provide industry training. In 2020, government body Creative Victoria funded the Assisted Music Business Industry Training program to help out-of-work live production crew in the first wave of COVID-19.
More than A$80m has been dedicated to support the live music since the start of the pandemic in Victoria, in addition to the A$8m Live Performance Support Package.
Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson said: “Production staff are the unsung heroes of our music industry and without them live shows simply wouldn’t happen – this grant is about supporting the people that deliver the gigs Victorians love.
“We’re delivering the essential training and support required to ensure the next generation of production crew are ready to support the live music industry, while providing established roadies with a gateway to return to work.”
CrewCare director Andrew McKinnon added: “The Weasel Eicke Scholarship will advance workers and students in live music to direct employment opportunities while honouring a much-loved industry leader.
“CrewCare is pleased to have the Victorian Government’s support as we work to address the critical skill shortage the live music workforce faces as it rebuilds to operate at full capacity.”
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