Audio Academy Mentoring 2026
Find out more about what the programme offers, what we're looking for, if you're eligible to apply, key dates and what to expect.
Is it for me?
Our mentoring is for mid-career radio and audio professionals who are actively looking to progress or make a change in their career, for example:
- Looking to step up to a more senior level
- Dealing with new responsibilities following a recent change in role
- Embracing new ways of working
- Setting up as a freelancer or running own production company
- Moving between public service and commercial culture
- Returning to work after a career break or redundancy
- Making a move into a different area of the industry
- Handling challenging situations in the workplace
Over a 6 month programme, we offer:
- Mentoring - bespoke matching for each mentee with a mentor who is a leader in the audio industry, with a commitment of 6 mentoring sessions over 6 months. We also provide mentee and mentor induction workshops, to ensure the most benefit can be gained on both sides.
- Peer network - guided Action Learning Set sessions in smaller groups, with tools to build a peer network for mutual support.
- Leadership training - we provide leadership training and skills sessions. These will be delivered online with accompanying materials.
- Events - in person and online events which bring all mentees together.
- Support - support and guidance from the Programme Lead and Audio Academy team.
Audio Academy Mentoring is available to you if you:
- Work in any role in the professional radio or audio industry. For example: production, journalism, technology, craft, commercial and support roles.
- Have more than five years’ professional experience in the industry.
- Can commit to receiving six hours of mentoring between February and July via face-to-face meetings, email, telephone or online conversations as agreed with mentor.
- Can commit to attending the workshops and Action Learning Set sessions (a mixture of in London and online).
- Can attend a one-day induction to be held in London.
- Can attend in person Leadership sessions in London.
- Can attend a one-day debrief and graduation session to be held in London (in July 2027).
Audio Academy Mentoring is available to Members. You do not need to be a member at the time of applying. However, if you are selected then you must become a Member in order to join the programme.
Terms and conditions
- The closing date is Monday 2nd November 10.00am. Applications received after that time will not be considered.
- If applicants have not been not contacted by the end of November, this means they have not been shortlisted.
- Due to the high number of applications we receive it is not possible to give individual feedback on unsuccessful applications.
- Applicants must be UK residents.
- The scheme is not designed to provide counselling, or help on a specific project that is better suited to a consultancy.
- Applicants must be able to commit to all elements of the programme, including 6 x one-to-one mentoring sessions, regular workshops and Action Learning Set meetings. Mentees come together in person 4 times during the programme, for networking and leadership sessions, including a graduation in July 2027.
- Mentees will be introduced to mentors by the team after a thorough application and selection process designed to identify those who will most benefit from the scheme.
- Whilst every effort will be made to find a suitable mentor, there is no guarantee that short-listed applicants will be placed with a mentor, if no such suitable mentor can be found.
- Though the content of your mentoring sessions will be confidential, your involvement will be made public and mentees may be asked to take part in reasonable marketing and publicity activity.
- As part of your application, applicants will be asked to provide a headshot for use on the Audio Academy website and related publicity.
Key Dates
- Entries Open - 2nd October 2026, 10am
- Entries Close - 2nd November 2026, 10.00am
- Shortlisted applicants will hear by the end of November 2026
- Interviews with shortlisted applicants will take place between 30th November - 11th December
- Induction - February 2027
- Graduation - July 2027
Preparing your application
There are two parts to the application.
Part 1 is an online application form
In the form you will be asked to provide:
- Your contact details
- Your personal website or best social media account
- Your current job
- Number of years you've worked in radio/audio
- Whether you are a member of the Audio Academy or not (you don't have to be to apply)
- If you have received mentoring before, we ask for information about your experiences and how you feel you would benefit from further mentoring
- If you haven't received mentoring before, we ask what impact you feel it would have on your career and why you feel it's right for you
- Your career story - 250 words to explain how you’ve got to this point in your career, obstacles you are currently facing, how you think this scheme can help you achieve what you’ve been unable to achieve on your own
- Your personal career goals - short- medium and long term - 100 words each
- How you would use the 6 hours of mentoring - 250 words
- Your ideal mentor (with no guarantees we can get them!)
And you will need to upload your latest CV (as a PDF or Word Doc) and a Headshot.
If you have any questions about any of this, please email: mentoring@audioacademy.org.uk before applying.
Part 2 is an optional Diversity Monitoring questionnaire which helps us to understand who is applying for the scheme - this form is anonymous and won't be connected to your main application. It is optional, but we'd be really grateful if you would fill it in. In this form, we ask about:
- Your gender
- Your ethnicity
- Your sexuality
- If you consider yourself disabled
- If you are a carer
- Your religion
- The nation or region you live in
- What type of school you went to
- Your parent(s)' qualifications
- The occupation of the main income earner in your family when you were growing u
