Today at its inaugural Music Data and Insights Summit, the Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO) launched its new research commission, Skills & Roles – Support workers in Victorian music industries.
Following a long-term research partnership with RMIT University, these new insights provide the VMDO with a current evidence-based perspective and expands on the 2020 study, Career Path: The Victorian Music Business Career Life Cycle.
This new research points out the nuances of learning and skills development within the complex and precarious career paths of Victorian music professionals and offers recommendations to build healthy thriving businesses.
The insights reveal that 54% of music workers embrace a portfolio career or are protean workers where they hold multiple concurrent roles to make ends meet and only one in five have a single full-time role.
It is no surprise to music professionals that they frequently work irregular and sporadic hours. Almost 50% work more than 40+ hours per week across all their roles, including over 10% who work 50+ hours per week.
The survey data indicates that skills are wide-ranging across music work. The research surveyed 212 workers and conducted 21 extended interviews representing 324 different paid music roles across Victoria.
There is a passion to work in the music industry, but it is not always financially rewarding. The increasing expectation for music professionals to be ‘all-rounders’ may be leading to skill dilution, increased stress and the potential long-term loss of industry specialists and experts.
The recent World Economic Forum Future Jobs Report said 39% of core skills will change by 2030 and some of the fastest growing worker skills include technological literacy, creative thinking, talent management and analytical thinking.
A Support Act survey recently found that 62% of creative workers are affected by increased financial stress.
Across all roles in the music sector, 61% use business, financial and legal skills. While many music workers are often ‘all-rounders’, the research found that these areas require further attention to develop these skills.
Soft skills like communication, interpersonal abilities and problem-solving emerged as the most critical skill sets used by over 80% of music professionals.
VMDO General Manager Kirsty Rivers said music workers play a central role and this research responds to the challenges faced by the Victorian music industry to sustain and develop its workforce.
“By building evidence-based research, we can better understand the skills and the gaps that exist. It helps us to develop bespoke industry training and support opportunities that are needed to thrive in the complex global music industry,” said Rivers.
“This research identifies the skills across the multiple Victorian professionals who support musicians, bands and performers, such as artist management, record label operations, marketing, venue management and music publishing,” explained Rivers.
RMIT University Associate Professor Catherine Strong said it is the first report to map the support roles and associated skills within the Victorian music industries. “Skills shortages are often an industry concern and the research highlights areas requiring attention that could strengthen the workforce,” said Strong. “The research shows that music workers often acquire skills on-the-job, which is valued by the industry. However, this means that professionals may not always acknowledge the skills or gaps they have. Finding ways to make formal training work better for this group is one way to counter these issues”.
Skill development in the music industry is a challenge
Previous VMDO research conducted prior to the pandemic identified that the single biggest issue facing the sector was its relatively unskilled workforce and ad hoc training arrangements.
Following the Victorian lockdowns during the pandemic, the skill gaps across the music ecosystem have amplified further.
This research suggests that the industry would benefit from a systematic approach to skills development and that there is an opportunity to reassess training options that integrate transferable skills and practical expertise.
Managing the ripples of significant job losses across the music industry
66% of music jobs were lost during the pandemic disruptions. By contrast, in 2020 the Australian arts and recreation sector saw a 19% reduction in employment.
The loss of experienced workers has left critical gaps in knowledge and expertise, with many roles now filled by people with less experience compared to pre-pandemic times.
This trend has increased workloads for remaining staff, which has exacerbated further risk of burnout, turnover and exploitation.
Reinforce mentoring opportunities across the music industry
Providing a more structured mentoring system could be an option to sustain music careers by developing the key skills and expertise required across the industry.
To varying degrees, structured training and mentoring is available across the music industry and there is a rise of music industry-specific higher education programs in Victoria.
Interviewees with a mentor spoke highly of this experience and said they received valuable advice, training and guidance during their introduction to the music industry.
A number of interviewees also mentioned that they provided mentoring to other people, suggesting that this may be an important way in which skills are transferred.
However, the recent decline of experienced professionals has affected skill development via informal mentorships and networks, which are crucial to develop industry-specific skills.
Continue to develop skills for Victorian music professionals
More than any other skill, the research highlighted that financial planning and management skills needed to be further developed by music workers.
Research interviewees also identified the other specific skills that required further attention and development related to finance, contracts and marketing.
The VMDO works closely with educational institutions, government and industry experts to develop music worker skills and experience by delivering programs that respond to the gaps revealed in this research.
Over the previous few months, the VMDO have made it a priority to upskill and develop the financial capabilities to help build stronger and more efficient music businesses.
Through its recent Leg Up program, the VMDO provided quick, easy and vital assistance. It supported 37 Victorian music professionals with access to grants for micro-investments, expert advice, professional development and capacity building.
Over the coming months, the VMDO will expand its popular Experts in Residence program and the long-term mentoring Fast Track Fellowships program will return to support music professionals build global networks, international experience and professional opportunities.
The Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO) is a Victorian Government-funded initiative delivered by Music Victoria.
Download the report here>