With a serious decline in music education and limited music technology within school settings, those wishing to practice music for a career or seek employment within the creative industries face economic barriers and social class ceilings. This article explores how young people can access education in electronic music production and align their music practice to industry roles outside of formal schooling. Research was conducted with young people from non-formal music education backgrounds who took part in a three-year programme that included mixing and mastering studio sessions, record label masterclasses and live sound engineering training days. The affordances of DIY musical skills acquisition, collaboration and creative industries social networks were vital for musical engagement and inclusion. Programmes of this nature hold significance for future pathways in music production for those who cannot access formal music education.
