Life as a Publishing Apprentice: #WorkInPublishing Week 2021
Since introducing the Publishing Assistant Apprenticeship in 2019 alongside The Publishers Association, we have introduced and matched many aspiring Publishers into various roles and publishing houses across the country.
With 15 of the 16 LDN Publishing Apprentices from our very first cohort who graduated from the programme earlier in the year continuing to work in publishing, it's absolutely fantastic to see this trend continue.
LDN Publishing graduates are continuing to secure jobs within the publishing industry upon completion, either staying with the same publisher where they completed their apprenticeship or moving onto a different publishing house.
To celebrate Work In Publishing Week, we decided to get in touch with some of our Level 3 Publishing Assistant apprentices currently working within the sector to ask them about their apprenticeship experience!
We talked to Ameenah, Matthew, Amy, and Hannah and asked them the same set of five questions to see what advice they had for anyone looking to kickstart their career with an apprenticeship and why they decided to start an apprenticeship with LDN.
Ameenah Khan
Apprenticeship Qualification
Publishing Assistant Lvl 3
Currently
Product Assistant at Pushkin Press
Matthew Hayhoe
Apprenticeship Qualification Publishing Assistant Lvl 3
Currently
Deputy Editor at Alain Charles
Amy White
Apprenticeship Qualification Publishing Assistant Lvl 3
Currently
Editorial Assistant at Future Science Group
Hannah Boyle
Apprenticeship Qualification Publishing Assistant Lvl 3
Currently
Digital Content and Learning Specialist at Pearson
Why did you decide to apply for an apprenticeship?
Ameenah - From a very young age, I always knew I wanted to build a career in the publishing industry but when I started applying for jobs, I found it wasn’t easy as I thought!
The publishing industry is very competitive to get into. I only ever received rejections which became quite exhausting. However, after doing loads of research I came across LDN Apprenticeships and saw that they offered an apprenticeship in publishing – for me, this was the perfect opportunity.
As someone who had a passion to work in publishing but no prior experience, working and studying towards a relevant qualification where I would learn all about publishing felt right for me. Applying for my current job was the best decision I made, and I haven’t looked back since!
Amy - I decided to become a publishing apprentice as I was making a career path change, after reflecting on what I was doing during the pandemic was no longer for me, I realised my passion was for publishing due to my love of books. After many unsuccessful job applications, I researched what educational pathways I could follow to get into publishing and I came across LDN Apprenticeships.
How do you feel an apprenticeship helped to get you where you are today?
Matthew - As a Deputy Editor, my position is built on the skills I developed on the apprenticeship scheme. From the learning courses that solidify the key role each department plays and contributes, which are invaluable in understanding my role and organisation, to the social side of masterclasses and live sessions that are so helpful in building a network, socialising, and developing communication skills.
Hannah - The apprenticeship helps me learn on the job about all different parts of the industry. It also allows me to reflect on what I've learned on a weekly basis.
What has been the best thing you’ve learned on your apprenticeship so far?
Amy - The best thing I have learned so far on the course has been the anatomy of different book types and their terminology, as this is something I never thought too much about before but is so important to know in publishing. On the flip side, the most valuable thing I have learned on the course has been learning more about the job role I aim to work within, Editorial. I have learned about the various elements involved in this department and how it works with and alongside other departments within various sectors of publishing.
Hannah - Seeing interesting speakers! We've been lucky enough to have some exciting and experienced people speak from across the industry. It's also been great to meet the other apprentices who are working in lots of different companies in trade, academic and educational publishing.
Ameenah - Whilst the list for this is endless, one of the best things I’ve learned is how a book enters the production process after being handed over from the editorial department and becomes a final physical product. As an avid reader with a shelf full of books, I’ve always wondered how a book transitions from a manuscript to the final product. The production process portrays exactly this so learning about it but also playing a part in this transition has been my favourite thing so far!
What challenges (if any) have you overcome during your apprenticeship?
Matthew - The shift from fully remote, to hybrid and full-time returns to the office has been a learning curve for sure! It's reassuring having a network of apprentices and coaches that are in the same boat. Adjusting to an industry for the first time will always come with challenges - blending a learning environment with a working one can be a tricky task sometimes - but I think all of them were incredibly valuable learning experiences if nothing else!
Amy - Working at a scientific journals publisher and having a limited scientific background was difficult to get to grips with the content and the work at first. But, as the company and the apprenticeship coaches have supported me tremendously and I have learned so much working with them, I feel so much more confident dealing with different features and proofing these science pieces from researchers in the field.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting an apprenticeship?
Ameenah - Don’t overthink the process and just apply! An apprenticeship can sound quite daunting at first, but it is essentially one of the greatest things to exist. As a publishing assistant apprentice, you aren’t expected to know anything at all because that’s the point of an apprenticeship – it is an opportunity to learn but also work at the same time.
The publishing industry is a great one and if you’re struggling to get in through a traditional route like I did or if you’re worried you- don’t have the experience required, then I would strongly suggest the publishing apprenticeship. You won’t regret it!
Matthew- Once you're sure that Publishing is the industry for you, do it! There's no better way to learn the ins and outs of the industry, get recognised with qualifications, and meet great people along the way. Embrace challenges and use every experience to learn, network, or just enjoy yourself.
Amy - Definitely do it. No question. It is so useful to learn from industry experts, both while working within the company you’ve applied for and the apprenticeship course itself – as the course offers Masterclasses with those working with companies such as Bloomsbury, Taylor and Francis and, most recently, from Nosy Crow! If you are looking to build your experience within the industry and you are struggling to find your footing or have gaps in your knowledge about publishing, do join, as it is the most valuable learning experience I have ever had.
For more information about the LDN Publishing Assistant Apprenticeship programme, click here.
To get in contact with the LDN team to enquire about hiring an LDN Publishing Assistant Apprentice, click here.