The PA launches #workinpublishing week

NewsPress Release
20 Nov 2015

20 November 2015

The Publishers Association has launched a new campaign to raise awareness and change perceptions about publishing as a career option for 16+ students, especially those from under-represented backgrounds.

Publishers are very conscious that the industry needs to attract a wider range of people. To achieve this, young people need to know about publishing, and the wide range of jobs on offer; how the term ‘publishing’ represent: consumer, academic, professional, educational, children’s, apps and ebooks and much more. Publishing needs to be seen as a career option for lawyers and accountants, for digital coders and science graduates.

The #Workinpublishing initiative is about doing just that. Featuring tips, careers profiles and blogs, the campaign is designed to give greater insight and advice to young people and those advising them about the job opportunities on offer.

Upcoming campaign activity includes:

  • Have a Go at Publishing
    At the Birmingham Skills Show visitors will be encouraged to ‘Have a Go at Publishing’, from creating their own interactive ebook with CircularFLO, learning how to write a book blurb or design a best-selling book. The PA and IPG are also holding 3 seminars aimed at giving school-leavers, teachers and careers advisors insight into publishing.

  • #Workpublishingweek
    23rd November sees the start of The PA’s first ever #workinpublishing week which will see tips, blogs, videos etc posted about jobs and opportunities in publishing along with live twitter chats. The PA is encouraging the publishing workforce to support #workinpublishing week by getting involved and sharing their invaluable industry insight.

PA Chief Executive, Richard Mollet, said: “#Workinpublishing aims to promote the publishing industry to young people looking to break into the sector, as well those who are yet to discover the wide range of career possibilities available. This programme demystifies publishing and demonstrates the dynamism and innovation underway in the sector. Whether working in research journals or children’s books, cookbooks or novels, a job in publishing involves connecting and engaging people with the written word.”

IPG Chief Executive, Bridget Shine: “The IPG is delighted to be partnering with The Publishers Association on the #Workinpublishing initiative, and we encourage everyone in the industry to support it. As our members tell us, the need for publishers to attract diverse young talent and broad skill sets has never been greater. We hope that #Workinpublishing will put publishing on the radars of more young people as they make their career choices.”

Follow the PA @PublishersAssoc for more updates.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

Birmingham Skills Show

The PA will be at stand F18-01 and will also host three seminars aimed at giving school-leavers, teachers and careers advisers an insight into what goes on in publishing:

  • Thursday 19th November, 12.55 – 13.15 – How to get into publishing with Stephanie Cox, Emerald Publishing Group and SYP North and Jazmin Yanez, Octopus Books

  • Friday 20th November, 10.50 – 11.10 – Publishing: more than you ever imagined with Marine Debray, HarperCollins and Maria Vassipolous, The Bookseller

  • Saturday 21st November, 12.30 – 12.50 – Digital Publishing Showcase with Ken Jones, CircluarFLO and Asif Bashir, Unique Inspiration.

Follow the Birmingham Skills Show on Twitter: @SkillsShow and #TSS15

#Workinpublishing Week
Throughout the week (23rd – 27th November), the PA will be posting a wide range of top tips, blogs and industry focus videos. We will also be hosting a wide a live video launch via Periscope and a number of Twitter Q&As. Further details on timings will be posted via Twitter.

The Publishers Association
The Publishers Association is the leading trade organisation serving book, journal, audio and electronic publishers in the UK. Membership comprises over 100 companies from across the consumer, academic and education sectors. Its core service is representation and lobbying, around copyright, rights and other matters relevant to members, who represent roughly 80% of the industry by turnover. www.publishers.org.uk.

IPG
The IPG helps publishers to do better business and become part of a real community — somewhere they can find advice, benefits and information. We give independent companies the support they need to get the most out of publishing and keep their businesses growing. www.ipg.uk.com/home

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