First publishing apprenticeship launched

The Publishing Assistant apprenticeship standard, the first of its kind to cater specifically to the publishing industry, is now available to employers.

Confirmed publishers who will be taking on Publishing Assistant apprentices in the first cohort, starting in September 2019, include: Bloomsbury, Cambridge University Press, DK, Pearson, Penguin Random House and Springer Nature.

The training for the apprenticeship will be delivered by LDN Apprenticeships and the 15-month programme will cover key parts of the publishing process from conception to production and is designed to be adaptable to the specific needs of the publisher.

The level 3 standard was spearheaded by the Publishers Association and a trailblazer group of publishing employers in response to the government’s introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy and developed with the help of Creative & Cultural Skills, who provide skills and training for the UK’s creative industries.

Some publishers have already been employing apprentices in various parts of their businesses using other standards. However, the Publishing Assistant apprenticeship standard will be the first of its kind to cater specifically to the publishing process, opening up pathways to school leavers for traditionally degree-dominated fields including editorial, production, sales and marketing.

Apprenticeships have been framed by successive governments as key to filling skills gaps, growing the economy and as an engine of social mobility. By combining practical training in a paid job with study, they can be an excellent option for people who have chosen not to go to university and also have huge benefits for employers.

Emma House, Deputy Chief Executive of the Publishers Association, said: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic mechanism for driving social mobility in our industry, and we are proud of our work to deliver the first ever publishing-specific apprenticeship standard. It is hugely encouraging to see publishers embracing this idea and we hope many more will follow. We would like to thank the trailblazer employer group, whose support and high-quality work has resulted in a standard which we hope will be a game-changer for apprenticeships in publishing.”

Peter Phillips, President of the Publishers Association and Chief Executive of Cambridge University Press, added: “The introduction of a new publishing-specific standard is an important step towards establishing apprenticeships as a pathway across our industry. This is a key part of the PA’s work to support publishers in opening up careers and providing opportunities to a wider group of people. That’s something I have already seen generate real successes in Cambridge University Press.”

Simon Bozzoli, Chief Executive Officer of LDN Apprenticeships, said: “LDN Apprenticeships is all about helping young people to find jobs they love and start meaningful careers. We’re thrilled to be working in partnership with the Publishers Association and to be building fantastic relationships with some of the biggest names in the publishing industry. The opportunities that these organisations will offer to young people through the Publishing Assistant Apprenticeship will be life-changing for the apprentices who secure them, and I hope that with our help, they will be the beginning of an Apprenticeship movement in the world of publishing.”