Praise For The New Music Promoters Qualification

The BIIAB Level 2 Award for Music Promoters (AMP) qualification is still in development but the first round of piloting has taken place and candidate feedback has been excellent. Among the first ‘students’ was Ray Paul, executive producer of BBC Radio 1’s live events, who commented: “I found the course invaluable and very thorough. I learnt many things about areas I knew little about and I would recommend it to anyone who is serious about working in, and promoting, events.”

Mike Anthony of BBC Radio 1 Xtra’s Rampage also took part in the pilot and he added: “Being on this workshop has highlighted aspects of the industry that are taken for granted and overlooked generally. This [qualification] will sort the men from the boys and improve a sector that needs desperate help. It also raises awareness, especially for new promoters, as well as encouraging a sense of responsibility.”
 
The AMP qualification, which is due to be launched in the new year, is considered to be the first step towards promoting and enhancing the standard, quality and legacy of promoters and events. This, in turn, will increase customers’ confidence and have a positive impact on stimulating the entertainments and leisure economy.

The project was instigated by the clubs and vice division of the Metropolitan Police who approached BIIAB, the market-leading awarding body for the licensed retail industry, to create a qualification which would encourage professionalism and best practice within this niche industry. Chief Inspector Adrian Studd of the Met Police Clubs and Vice Unit said: “BIIAB has our full support in the development of this award which we believe will help set and maintain the highest standards in the field of music promotion.”
 
Music promoters Pete Peart and Mark Clarke have made an invaluable input to the development of the qualification and they commented: “The whole idea of the course is to get active promoters to take a second look at their current methods used when organising events and for those that are entering the industry to understand and implement best practices.”

BIIAB is one of the few awarding bodies which pilots its qualifications to ensure they are fit for purpose before they are launched nationally. Candidates for the AMP pilot consisted of music promoters, club operators and various local authority representatives, including the police and council licensing officers. The pilot was held over two consecutive days and was concluded with a forty minute multiple choice examination. The AMP has already been accredited by the qualifications regulator Ofqual.

Feedback from the pilot will now be analysed and any necessary changes will be made before it is launched nationally in early 2010. For more information on the qualification, please contact BIIAB on 01276 684449.