Apprenticeship training course

Publishing professional (level 4)

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Information about Publishing professional (level 4)

Supporting key parts of the publishing process from the conception to production.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • Their organisation’s strategy and publishing programme, their competitors and who their target users are
  • The broader publishing industry - sectors and trends
  • The role of the industry with regards to the wider social issues of climate change and diversity, equity and inclusion and the impact of these issues on their organisation and target users
  • Publishing systems used to manage, produce and sell products or publications.
  • The importance and risk to the business involved in maintaining and managing product data, including metadata.
  • Content management software that supports the production process for the variety of content at their organisation.
  • The publishing journey from commissioning through to publication including working with manuscripts, proofs and marketing materials
  • The range of products and publications available such as books, illustrated books, academic publications, digital books, products and services.
  • Key stages of the publishing process, which include briefing stakeholders or suppliers, design, editing and proof reading.
  • Importance of communication with internal and external stakeholders
  • Process and procedures for setting and proofreading content.
  • The costing and scheduling principles of products or publications to ensure cost effective and timely production.
  • The importance of tracking and maintaining up-to-date versions of product files on systems.
  • Sustainability and environmental considerations within production and supply chains.
  • The importance of market awareness and key selling points for their customers and target users in order to drive sales.
  • Different methods to connect and engage directly with target users such as influencers, the press, focus groups and surveys.
  • Sales channels and tools for their target audience.
  • Marketing campaigns and strategies including digital methods such as search engine optimisation, insights from web analytics and web optimisation.
  • Contractual structures with authors or contributors including, where relevant, fees, advances, royalties, licensing or assigning copyright and subrights.
  • Company policies regarding third-party permissions and for protecting copyright and ensuring compliance, including digital rights management.
  • Range of standards (such as Onix) and mark-up languages (such as XML, LaTeX and HTML) used in publishing.
  • Accessibility requirements for digital content where relevant (such as alt text for images).
  • User experience (UX) design and how this can be tested.
  • New technologies and emerging digital trends and the impact of these on the broader publishing industry

  Skills

  • Input and maintain data to produce products or publications that meet company, sales channel and audience requirements.
  • Continually improve the quality of information or data in line with best practice.
  • Maintain data and records in line with relevant data protection guidelines.
  • Follow publishing guidelines relevant to their role to produce products or publications that meet budgets, are on schedule and meet company and industry standards.
  • Ensure appropriate changes are highlighted and agreed with stakeholders
  • Apply rigour and attention to detail
  • Escalate issues and concerns, in line with company process.
  • Identify stakeholders, build relationships and manage expectations
  • Present appropriate information clearly and concisely, whether internal or external.
  • Ensure that products or publications meet contractual structures agreed with authors or other content providers.
  • Think laterally and provide sensible solutions to problems.
  • Demonstrate a strong ability to work as part of a team, taking on tasks confidently and resourcefully, working cooperatively with others, and supporting the team and line manager as required.
  • Communicate clearly with relevant stakeholders, showing confidence, inclusiveness and flexibility, and ensuring an appropriate use of language and terminology.
  • Present and communicate ideas to colleagues internally and externally as needed.
  • Manage own workload and operate both individually and as part of a wider team and seek support when needed.
  • Demonstrate good time-management – prioritise effectively, with the ability to manage multiple demands and deadlines.
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively during remote or hybrid working, where required by their company.

  Behaviours

  • Maintain professional discretion in relation to confidential issues surrounding stakeholders or business activities.
  • Include and seek input from people across a wide variety of backgrounds and lived experiences, treating colleagues and external stakeholders fairly and with respect.
  • Apply rigour and attention to detail both on product processes and in other tasks.
  • Take the initiative when required and be willing to offer ideas.
  • Consistently achieve personal and organisational targets.
  • Be receptive to new ideas.
  • Be resilient and determined to overcome obstacles.
  • Show a willingness to learn and develop, embracing new challenges when they occur.
  • Demonstrates enthusiasm in their activities
  • Take personal responsibility for and promote sustainable working practices.
  • Act as a role model for accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Creative and design
• Qualification level: 4; Equal to higher national certificate (HNC)
• Course duration: 24 months
• Maximum funding: £10,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Contracts assistant
  • Editorial assistant
  • Marketing assistant
  • Production assistant
  • Publicity assistant
  • Rights assistant

View more information about Publishing professional (level 4) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.