New Deal for Musicians 

The New Deal for Musicians (NDfM) was introduced to enable unemployed musicians, who are eligible for either the New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds or New Deal 25+ programmes, to pursue a career in the music industry.

NDfM aims to help unemployed musicians progress into careers in all types of music, whether self-employed or as artists under contract.

NDfM offers musicians:

• Access to advisory support from a specialist Music Industry Adviser (MIA) during the Gateway period and beyond;
• An Open Learning route, lasting up to 26 weeks, based on a national set of workbooks relevant to the music industry;
• Support and guidance from a Music Open Learning Provider (MOLP) who will support participants through a range of open learning materials and provide jobsearch support; and
• Flexibility on the existing self-employment route to give continued access to open learning materials and to allow test trading as part of a band.

Participants will receive a training allowance equivalent to their usual rate of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) plus a top-up of £15.38 per week.

Anyone interested in seeking a career in the music industry and who has been claiming JSA for 6 months or more (18 to 24 year olds) or 18 months or more (25+) should contact their local Jobs & Benefits office / JobCentre  and ask to speak to a New Deal Personal Adviser.