PA calls for volunteer 'publishing ambassadors'

The Publishers Association (PA) is calling on people working in publishing to give talks in schools, colleges and universities to share "the exciting job opportunities" available within the industry.

The PA's call to action is part of a drive to make the industry more diverse and inclusive. The PA suggests that "attracting a wider range of people" will help ensure that the workforce "remains innovative, dynamic and succesful".

Starting with young people, The PA wants volunteer "publishing ambassadors" to introduce publishing as a career option in local schools, including "how the term ‘publishing’ can represent: consumer, academic, professional, educational, children’s, apps and e-books and much more".

Emma House, The PA’s director of publisher relations, said: “One of the challenges we have is that young people are simply not aware of publishing as a career option. We hope by encouraging those already working in publishing to visit their own, or local, school, we hope to start addressing this.”

To get involved, volunteers can contact schools, colleges or universities in their local area or those previously attended directly. Alternatively they can register on The PA’s "people database" to receive updates on upcoming opportunities to hold a session.

A wide variety of digital resources to use in presentations are accessible via Dropbox to make the process as easy as possible. The materials, which users can tailor and adapt, include PowerPoint presentations, scripts, leaflets, and tips for presenters.

The PA launched the #Workinpublishing initiative in November where to attract school leavers it posted tips, blogs and industry-focused videos about jobs in publishing, and also held live Twitter chats and Q&As through Periscope. In partnership with the IPG, The PA also had a stand at the Birmingham Skills Show where it encouraged visitors to "have a go" at publishing and hosted a variety of relevant showcase seminars.