THERE HAVE not been many collective highlights for black Britons this year but No Signal Radio’s rise has been one of them. The black independent radio station has provided the soundtrack to a very strange year, helped us battle tabanca while celebrating Notting Hill Carnival remotely and (amicably) divided the timeline with its NS10v10 series.

Now No Signal has secured funding to help other young black people aspiring to work in broadcasting and follow in its footsteps, learning the ropes of the industry through a training programme.

Yesterday the radio station announced it will be launching the No Signal Academy, a training programme for young black people who want to work in radio. The scheme is designed for those who want to gain skills needed for behind-the-scenes work in broadcasting.

No Signal Academy is being made possible thanks to funding from Youth Music, a national charity focused on supporting children and young people.

No Signal Radio is one of 31 recipients of the first round of Youth Music’s Incubator Fund, which provides grants of £5,000 to £30,000 to businesses, collectives and not-for-profits working in the music industry.

The fund aims to help increase access to sustainable careers within music for young people aged 18-25.

Girls I Rate, founded by multi-platinum songwriter Carla Marie Williams, is also among the recipients of Youth Music’s Incubator Fund. Williams’ organisation will run a six-month programme that will support, train and mentor eight 18-25 year olds to create 12 radio shows for Girls I Rate radio. The programme is specifically focused on supporting black womxn.

Link Up TV and Ezra Collective have also received funding to open up opportunities for underrepresented young people.

Youth Music will be opening up a second round of funding in December.