Digital changes have exposed "critical" skills gap, reveals a major report
14 August 2009
The massive impact of digital technology on the publishing world has exposed "critical" skills gaps, reveals a new report.
The report by Skillset, the industry body supporting skills, education and training for the UK's Creative Media Industries, argues that it is vital that staff understand and maximise multi-media and multi-platform content in the UK and internationally.
The Skills Strategy for Publishing, the culmination of year-long research and widespread industry consultation, examines the major challenges facing publishing, its main skills and training issues and what the future holds. It also provides a comprehensive picture of the size and shape of an industry that includes news agency and newspaper publishing, books, journal, magazine and business media, databases and directories.
Levels of literacy among new entrants in publishing is a big concern in an industry where it is critical to editorial quality and commercial success, says the report. This is at a time when traditional core skills like good writing, editing and interviewing are becoming even more important so that customers are prepared to pay for high quality content.
The Skills Strategy for Publishing also found that:
- There is a "desperate" need to develop a better skilled advertising and media sales force, especially with moves to non-traditional online competitors
- It will be critical for freelancers and sole traders to have the latest skills for multi-media and converging technologies. But there are several challenges around how they will pay for, and access, training
- Employers are finding it harder to recruit due to competition from computer games and other Creative Media Industries.
Overall, publishing is more highly qualified than the UK generally, although this does vary between different sectors. A total of 45 per cent of the publishing workforce are qualified to degree level or above, compared to the national average of 30 per cent.
Most companies consulted by Skillset provide on-the-job or in-house training.
Gail Rebuck, Skillset Board member and Chairman and CEO of Random House Group, said: "The impact of the recession coupled with the phenomenal pace of technological change is having a profound impact on the publishing sector.
"To take advantage of the great opportunities to create and deliver compelling content to educate, engage and entertain readers, the industry needs a workforce capable of combining traditional skills with a new digital and technical capability underpinned by a renewed emphasis on creativity. It is important that the industry understands and moves with the market so the skills gap this report has identified does not continue to grow. "
Kate O'Connor, Skillset's Executive Director of Policy and Development, said: "Employers must be able to recruit people with the right skills for the job. Training is far too often one of the first casualties when times are tough, but it is essential that we invest for the future. Staff must develop new digital skills if the industry is to survive and thrive."
The publishing industry has more than 7,000 businesses, employing more than 200,000 people and total annual sales of up to £22 billion.
A print copy is available on request by emailing Louise Franklin at louisef@skillset.org or calling 020 7713 9849. More information - www.skillset.org/publishingprofile
Ends
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Notes to Editors
About 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.
About the 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, National Union 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.