New initiative launched to ‘remix music education’ and redress gender imbalance

BBC Radio 1’s Jaguar and FutureDJs have joined forces to launch Future1000, a free national training programme running May to December for female and gender minority students in the UK.

Aiming to ‘challenge outdated structures’ and redress an industry-wide gender imbalance, the programme will cover a range of career paths including radio presenting, DJing, music production, and management. 

FutureDJs’ Austen Smart hopes that the initiative will support his mission to ‘remix music education’ and ensure that learning is ‘accessible and inspiring for all young musicians’. 

Through a 12-part online course, requiring no equipment or previous knowledge, students will participate in interactive artist-led sessions, as well as accredited online modules.

Jaguar, BBC Radio 1 DJ and co-founder of Future1000, said: ‘Our hope for equality lies in the next generation and that’s why Future1000 will help improve gender diversity and representation at the very start of young people’s journeys into music, at a time when access to opportunities and inclusivity is most critical. 

‘My own experience of coming up in the industry, and often being the only girl in the room, has motivated me to make a change for others from similar backgrounds, and I hope that Future1000 helps to show young girls, trans and non-binary people what they’re capable of.’ 

Austen Smart, co-founder of FutureDJs and Future1000, said: ‘By helping more young women, trans and non-binary students take their first steps into the music industry through the empowerment of 1,000 young music makers, we want to challenge outdated structures, and create real opportunities for the next generation of talent.’

Students can register their interest now. Those who are enrolled on the course will receive free access to the educational tools they need to take part, including a licence for Soundtrap worth £125. 

future1000.org