Applying work-based learning practice and theories to the employability skills and learning opportunities of music students

The music industry is a highly fragmented commercial sector, which is facing ma-jor challenges and undergoing rapid change. When evaluating potential employ-ees during a time that key roles are evolving to meet the demands of the contem-porary marketplace, the music industry attaches real credence and weight to prac-tical experience in addition to academic achievement. This article considers the importance of students not concentrating solely on their academic work, but also applying focus on acquiring employability skills, experience and work-based knowledge. For example, highly structured, short–term, work-based learning ac-tivities and the knowledge and employability skills these opportunities provide stu-dents are considered. Looking at how various learning styles and theories can be applied to enhance the experience of individual students, it is clear that, although most music industry related companies offer work placement opportunities which are unstructured, the integration of activities such as reflective and analytical dis-sertations aimed at building self-awareness, self-reflection and self-confidence, are just as important as practical experience and can cater for the needs of a di-verse range of learning styles