Skillset launches consultation to strengthen skills in UK publishing
11 March 2009
Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the Creative Media Industries, today announced that it was seeking feedback on its draft Skills Strategy for Publishing.
Launched today at a parliamentary reception in Westminster, the strategy aims to ensure that employers in publishing can recruit people with the right skills for the job and to strengthen the global competitiveness of UK publishing by using skills as the route out of recession. The strategy, which targets both the existing workforce and new entrants, was developed with detailed stakeholder involvement through the Publishing Skills Council.
Skillset Board member and Chair and CEO of Random House Group, Gail Rebuck CBE, said that the strategy was an important milestone and came at a crucial time for UK publishing:
"The publishing industry is dependent on its people and their collective skills. Today we are highlighting this industry-led research which not only provides a comprehensive map of our industries, but also identifies many of the skills gaps and challenges we face as we aim to seize the opportunities of digital convergence."
Commenting on the importance of skills and training, especially during these times of economic uncertainty, she went on to say:
"Skills requirements are changing at such a fast pace in our industry, that merely identifying and keeping up with demand is a challenge. Training is all too frequently one of the first casualties when times are tough, especially if it is characterised as a discretionary spend which can easily be cut. So we have to reflect a little, and ask ourselves if we are fully prepared to lead our companies and equip our workforces during this time of immense change and uncertainty."
Clive Jones CBE, Chair of Skillset said:
"This skills strategy provides the blueprint from which the UK publishing sector can plan for its future skill needs. It aims to provide a degree of certainty for employers who want to be able to access a highly skilled workforce during these difficult times."
The draft strategy covers the Book, Database and Directory, Journal, Magazine and Business Media, News Agency and Newspaper Publishing sectors. It:
- provides a coherent framework to inform education, training and development provision for the publishing industry;
- identifies key shared industry priorities at the same time as recognizing more sector-specific skills needs; and,
- offers a basis for developing an action plan to meet industry needs: drawing together existing good practice, effective on-going activities and new initiatives.
The combined footprint of these sectors in the UK is significant with over 7,000 businesses employing over 200,000 people and total annual sales exceeding £18.5 billion.
John Whitley, Chair of Publishing Skills Council said:
"For UK publishing to remain globally competitive we need a training system capable of responding to employers' and individuals' demands - when, where and how they want it.
"To achieve this we need a coordinated strategy, bringing together the key players in Publishing, providing a flexible, responsive and customer-focused approach to skills training," he said.
Chief Executive of Skillset Dinah Caine, said:
"This strategy is the culmination of a year long effort working with our partners and researching the skills challenges confronting UK publishing.
"But the work does not stop here - these are fast changing times and we need to have the input and views from companies and individuals right across the industry. So I urge you all to read the consultation and feedback. That way we can target what we do to support the priority skills issues in the industry," she said.
The results of the consultation will then be incorporated into the final strategy which will be developed into a Publishing Sector Profile and Action Plan in May 2009. These reports will define the priorities and actions that Skillset and partners will focus on to improve the skills of the Publishing workforce. All interested parties are invited to submit their feedback no later than Thursday 9 April.
Download the Publishing Draft Strategy or request a print copy by emailing Louise Franklin at louisef@skillset.org or calling 020 7713 9849.
For further information visit the Publishing section on our website
For all media enquiries contact:
Jennifer Walters
e: jenniferw@skillset.org
t: 0207 713 9812
Notes for Editors
Skillset
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for Creative Media which comprises TV, film, radio, interactive media, animation, computer games, facilities, photo imaging and publishing. SSCs are licensed by the UK Government and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenge by sector. They are independent, UK-wide organisations, are employer-led, and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the industry.
Publishing Skills Council
Skillset's Publishing Skills Council is made up of industry employers and representatives from all areas of the sector. The Council is responsible for setting and overseeing Skillset's strategy for publishing and for ensuring that Skillset's activities and interventions are responsive to the needs of the sector.
Its membership includes representatives from the; Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers, Association of Publishing Educators, Data Publishers Association, Iliffe News and Media and Cambridge Newspapers Ltd., Independent Publishers Guild, National Council for the Training of Journalists, Newspaper Society, Newsquest, Oxford International Centre for Publishing Studies, Periodical Publishers Association, Publishers Association, Publishing Training Centre, Royal Society of Chemistry Publishing, and the UK Association of Online Publishers.