AudioUK and BBC launch Audiotrain free podcast training platform

AudioUK announced on October 2, 2025, the relaunch of Audiotrain, a skills and training platform developed in partnership with the BBC to address industry-wide competency gaps across the United Kingdom's podcast and audio sector. The platform provides on-demand educational content at no cost to participants working in podcasting, audio production, and related fields.

The initiative represents the commencement of a three-year programme combining online and in-person instruction. According to the announcement, Audiotrain organizes its curriculum around three core competency areas: Creative, Business, and Technical skills. Industry professionals lead each session, delivering practical instruction, tools, and techniques applicable to both individual content production and enterprise-scale operations.

The platform launched its first series of 19 webinars on September 25, 2025, covering topics including narrative construction, podcast business formation, negotiation skills, pitching techniques, idea development, production management, and YouTube optimization for podcast distribution. Professionals from organizations including the BBC, National Theatre, Amnesty International, ITV, and Goalhanger developed and presented the instructional content.

Chloe Straw, CEO of AudioUK, stated: "The Audiotrain platform is a game-changer for the podcast and audio industry. Whether you're just starting out or leading a business, it provides practical, high-quality training that empowers everyone to grow their skills, reach new audiences, and push the boundaries of what's possible in podcasting and audio. We're thrilled to offer a programme that truly supports talent at every stage of their journey, wherever or whenever that is. Thank you to the BBC for their support in making this happen."

Dawn Beresford, Director of Talent & Skills at the BBC, commented: "The BBC is delighted to have worked with AudioUK to relaunch Audiotrain, so that the breadth and depth of training available within the podcast and audio sector is enhanced and can be accessed by all, whenever and wherever they live within the UK. This is a core enabler of the BBC's Across the UK strategy and we hope that it will be welcomed and used by many within the UK podcast and audio sector."

The platform targets podcast and audio professionals, content creators, and new industry entrants seeking to sharpen skills, stay current with industry trends, and expand audience reach. Participants receive access to session replays, downloadable PDF materials containing key points and takeaways from each presenter, and actionable resources including checklists, templates, and step-by-step implementation guides.

AudioUK serves as the trade association for professional audio production companies and creative businesses throughout the United Kingdom producing content for radio, podcasting, and audiobooks. The organization's primary objective involves supporting member companies and the broader UK audio production industry to operate successfully and expand their businesses.

The BBC funding enables the three-year training programme addressing identified skills gaps across the UK podcast and audio production sector. The initiative aligns with the broadcaster's Across the UK strategy, which aims to enhance accessibility of industry resources regardless of geographic location within the United Kingdom.

The Creative training module encompasses narrative construction, talent management, artificial intelligence applications in podcast production, idea development, production management, social media audience growth strategies, and voiceover techniques. Sam Psyk, who has worked with the BBC, National Theatre, and Amnesty International, leads the narrative construction session, while Faye Lyons White, an award-winning broadcast journalist and audio producer, presents the talent management instruction.

Alex Jungius, Director of This Is Distorted and former leader at major UK radio stations, delivers the AI applications session. Nicole Logan, Executive Producer of Development at Goalhanger, teaches idea development, while Dan Jackson-Alvarez, Head of Production with two decades of experience at ITV, the BBC, and leading independent companies, covers production management. Briony Casey, senior digital strategist and creative director, presents social media growth strategies, and Peta Briscoe, British voice actor and voiceover artist, teaches voiceover fundamentals.

The Technical training addresses editing proficiency, sound design implementation, video production setup, Reaper software mastery, and YouTube platform optimization for podcast growth. The Business curriculum covers legal essentials, negotiation strategies, client relationship management, pitching skills, intellectual property protection, revenue enhancement, and podcast business formation.

UK podcast consumer trends show expanding opportunities as audience growth combines with improved targeting and measurement capabilities. Edison Research reported in August 2025 that smartphone usage for podcast consumption decreased from 69% in Q2 2023 to 66% in Q1 2025, while smart TV usage increased from 4% to 8% during the same period.

Platform distribution data indicates Spotify leads UK podcast usage with 33% of weekly listeners aged 15 and older, followed by YouTube at 20%, BBC Sounds at 15%, and Apple Podcasts at 13%. These distribution patterns affect advertiser strategy as different platforms offer varying targeting capabilities and measurement tools.

Audioboom acquired UK podcast leader Adelicious on July 17, 2025, creating the UK's largest homegrown podcast network with 40 million unique listeners and more than 125 million monthly downloads and video views. The consolidation reflects broader trends in podcast advertising measurement and targeting, with new capabilities enabling advertisers to target specific topics discussed within individual podcast episodes.

Triton Digital launched advanced podcast audience targeting with Q2 data on August 19, 2025, introducing audience intelligence features that enable advertisers to target specific demographic segments and purchase intent behaviors. The enhanced ranker delivers insights across more than 40 demographic and purchase intent segments, combining traditional download measurements with survey data.

The training programme addresses growing demand for podcast production skills amid industry expansion. Programmatic podcast advertising reached 170 million listeners across 12 markets in 2025, demonstrating scale potential for automated buying systems. Audio advertising faces a 22% gap between consumer engagement and advertiser investment, with consumers dedicating 31% of media time to audio while advertisers allocate only 9% of budgets to audio platforms.

UK podcast rankings for Q2 2025 revealed marketing opportunities as Edison Research began incorporating video consumption data into measurement methodology. The rankings consider both listening and watching behavior, acknowledging growing importance of video podcast consumption, particularly among younger demographics.

Video podcast consumption patterns align with broader industry measurements showing 84% of Generation Z monthly podcast listeners engaging with video content. This demographic shift presents opportunities for creators to develop content that leverages visual elements alongside traditional audio, though it requires expanded technical skills.

The Audiotrain platform provides accessible instruction regardless of experience level. The training modules range in length but focus on delivering concise, actionable information that participants can immediately apply to their projects. Access to the platform requires registration at audiotrain.co.uk, with no cost to participants working in the podcast and audio industry.

The three-year funding commitment from the BBC supports both online webinars and planned in-person training sessions. This dual delivery approach aims to maximize accessibility while addressing regional skills gaps throughout the United Kingdom. The programme design acknowledges varying learning preferences and geographic constraints that may limit in-person attendance.

Each training module provides practical, real-world guidance applicable to current industry practices. The instruction emphasizes actionable takeaways rather than theoretical concepts, with clear reference materials and techniques participants can implement in their own audio and podcast projects. The curriculum reflects industry evolution, incorporating emerging technologies like artificial intelligence while maintaining focus on fundamental production and business skills.

The platform serves leaders, content creators, freelancers, independent podcasters, creative producers, and those new to the industry. Audiotrain's structure allows participants to access relevant content based on their current skill level and professional objectives, with the goal of helping them advance regardless of starting point.

Timeline

• September 25, 2025: First series of 19 Audiotrain webinars launches
• October 2, 2025: AudioUK announces Audiotrain relaunch in partnership with BBC
• July 17, 2025: Audioboom acquires UK podcast leader Adelicious, creating Britain's largest homegrown network
• July 18, 2025: Triton Digital adds AI voice cloning for programmatic podcast ads
• August 7, 2025: UK podcast consumer trends spotlight advertiser opportunities in 2025
• August 9, 2025: Audioboom video strategy delivers positive results
• August 19, 2025: Triton Digital launches advanced podcast audience targeting with Q2 data
• August 20, 2025: UK podcast rankings Q2 2025 reveal marketing opportunities

Summary

Who: AudioUK, the trade association for professional audio production companies, partnered with the BBC to deliver the training programme. Industry professionals from organizations including the BBC, National Theatre, Amnesty International, ITV, and Goalhanger developed and presented instructional content.

What: Audiotrain provides free on-demand training organized around three core competency areas: Creative, Business, and Technical skills. The platform launched with 19 webinars covering topics including narrative construction, podcast business formation, negotiation skills, production management, and YouTube optimization. Participants receive access to session replays, downloadable PDF materials, and actionable resources including checklists and templates.

When: AudioUK announced the relaunch on October 2, 2025. The first series of 19 webinars launched on September 25, 2025. The initiative represents the start of a three-year programme combining online and in-person training.

Where: The platform serves the United Kingdom's podcast and audio sector, aligning with the BBC's Across the UK strategy to enhance accessibility of industry resources regardless of geographic location. Access requires registration at audiotrain.co.uk.

Why: The programme addresses identified skills gaps across the UK podcast and audio production sector during a period of industry expansion. Audio advertising faces a 22% gap between consumer engagement and advertiser investment, while programmatic podcast advertising reached 170 million listeners across 12 markets in 2025. The training aims to support talent at every stage of their professional journey while helping the UK audio production industry operate successfully and expand.