Amazon to fund 350 apprenticeships and traineeships in the UK creative industry

The ecommerce giant is supporting more than 100 new apprenticeships in the creative industries, doubling its levy funding to £2m. 

Prime Video also announced the second phase of Prime Video Pathway, an initiative created to open up access to jobs in TV and film, which will support an additional 250 trainees over the coming years.

Prime Video Pathway will also provide opportunities for a further 25 craft trainees, providing 50% of placements across Scotland and Wales.

New data from independent macroeconomic consultancy Capital Economics revealed that Amazon’s investments in the creative industries supported more than 16,000 jobs in 2022.

Amazon has invested more than £4.2bn since 2020 across Kindle Direct Publishing, Amazon Publishing, Prime Video, Audible, Amazon Fashion, Amazon Music, Amazon Games and more.

The data shows that Amazon’s investments have contributed £4.8bn of gross value to the UK economy since 2010.

The company has doubled its investments in the UK creative sector in the past five years resulting in more support for UK-based creatives, a record number of Amazon Originals filmed in the UK and new production facilities set to open at Shepperton Studios.

Amazon vice-president and UK country manager John Boumphrey said: “The UK has long been a creative powerhouse, brimming with some of the world’s most talented authors, musicians, actors, designers, technicians and more.

“Amazon is unique in the breadth of creative industries we support, from TV and music to fashion and publishing, and new data shows that our investments in these industries have contributed more than £4.8bn to the UK economy since 2010. 

“We are committed to supporting this vital sector, and we have more than doubled our investments in UK-based productions, skills programmes, production facilities and more, to power the UK’s creative sector today and support the creators of tomorrow.”

Secretary of state for culture, media and sport Lucy Frazer said: “Amazon has embraced the huge depth of creativity and technical expertise in the UK. Its continued investment is testament to what we offer in film, music, fashion, tech and publishing. 

“Many of its ambitions align closely with our own plans for the creative sectors and we are going to build on Britain’s status as a world-class creative nation and maximise their potential to unleash economic growth and create jobs.”