Edinburgh Napier University to license the IPG Skills Hub

Publishing students at Edinburgh Napier University are to receive access to the Skills Hub of the Independent Publishers Guild (IPG) as the organisations enter into a new licensing partnership.

The agreement will give students free and unlimited use of the hub, which has more than 100 resources to improve skills and knowledge, and is designed to complement the tuition they receive on the MSc Publishing programme at Edinburgh Napier.

The IPG launched the hub to provide independent publishers with training content and practical advice, including full-length courses in  disciplines such as publicity and financial management, quick-fire tips for effective publishing, masterclasses from successful companies, publishing FAQs, directories, glossaries and other resources.

All material is compiled by experts in their field, including experienced independent publishers and consultants, and some of it is drawn from the IPG’s conferences and other events. The resources are hosted on a state-of-the art training platform that enables individuals to learn at a time, place and pace to suit them, with features to make study interactive and focus on individual requirements.

IPG c.e.o. Bridget Shine said: “The IPG has always been keen to support people on their journeys through publishing, so we are delighted that students on the excellent courses at Edinburgh Napier will be able to access our Skills Hub. We hope it will give them a good grounding in the skills needed to build a career in the industry, and insight into what it’s like to work in the thriving independent publishing sector on a day-to-day basis. We look forward to welcoming them as IPG members in due course as they lead the next generation of independent publishers.”

Avril Gray, associate professor in publishing at Edinburgh Napier University, added: “This imaginative and innovative new partnership with the IPG demonstrates our commitment to providing our students with the skills and connections they need to advance their careers in publishing. The Skills Hub is a fabulous resource for students, and our collaboration opens up great potential for independent publishers to engage with the publishing workforce of the future.”