Apprentice Publishing Support Assistant
THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
Greater Manchester (M13 9PL)
Closes in 23 days (Friday 5 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 12 August 2025
Contents
Summary
This Apprenticeship presents an excellent chance to immerse yourself in the world of publishing, developing valuable industry skills. As an Apprentice Publishing Support Assistant at The University of Manchester, you’ll gain experience with leading publishing platforms, contribute to real projects, and learn from experts in a vibrant environment.
- Wage
-
£23,742 a year
- Training course
- Publishing professional (level 4)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm (variable times to suit workplace requirements). 1 hour for lunch.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 29 September 2025
- Duration
-
2 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
As an Apprentice, you will receive thorough guidance, information, and hands-on training on essential aspects central to supporting a modern publishing environment within the creative and academic heart of the University of Manchester.
Training opportunities encompass a blend of editorial, production, and digital publishing skills, with a strong foundation in communication and technology.
- Assisting with the preparation, editing, and proofreading of manuscripts for print and digital publication
- Learning the fundamentals of copyright, permissions, and intellectual property in publishing
- Supporting the design and layout of books, journals, and digital resources using industry-standard software
- Coordinating with authors, editors, and production teams to meet publication deadlines
- Managing metadata and keeping digital content well-organised and accessible
- Helping to produce marketing materials and learning the basics of book promotion and distribution
- Using content management systems and digital platforms to publish and update materials
- Assisting with data entry, proofreading, and maintaining accurate publication records
- Learning about the end-to-end publishing process, from commissioning to final release
- Participating in team meetings and supporting live publishing projects
- Engaging with students, researchers, staff, and external partners to support publishing needs
- Taking on additional training and development to remain informed about industry trends and best practices
- Working safely and ethically within a publishing environment
- Developing project management skills for publishing projects
Where you'll work
Oxford Road
Manchester
Greater Manchester
M13 9PL
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
LDN APPRENTICESHIPS LTD
Training course
Publishing professional (level 4)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Input and maintain data to produce products or publications that meet company, sales channel and audience requirements.
- Continually improve the quality of information or data in line with best practice.
- Maintain data and records in line with relevant data protection guidelines.
- Follow publishing guidelines relevant to their role to produce products or publications that meet budgets, are on schedule and meet company and industry standards.
- Ensure appropriate changes are highlighted and agreed with stakeholders
- Apply rigour and attention to detail
- Escalate issues and concerns, in line with company process.
- Identify stakeholders, build relationships and manage expectations
- Present appropriate information clearly and concisely, whether internal or external.
- Ensure that products or publications meet contractual structures agreed with authors or other content providers.
- Think laterally and provide sensible solutions to problems.
- Demonstrate a strong ability to work as part of a team, taking on tasks confidently and resourcefully, working cooperatively with others, and supporting the team and line manager as required.
- Communicate clearly with relevant stakeholders, showing confidence, inclusiveness and flexibility, and ensuring an appropriate use of language and terminology.
- Present and communicate ideas to colleagues internally and externally as needed.
- Manage own workload and operate both individually and as part of a wider team and seek support when needed.
- Demonstrate good time-management – prioritise effectively, with the ability to manage multiple demands and deadlines.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively during remote or hybrid working, where required by their company.
- Input and maintain data to produce products or publications that meet company, sales channel and audience requirements.
- Continually improve the quality of information or data in line with best practice.
- Maintain data and records in line with relevant data protection guidelines.
- Follow publishing guidelines relevant to their role to produce products or publications that meet budgets, are on schedule and meet company and industry standards.
- Ensure appropriate changes are highlighted and agreed with stakeholders
- Apply rigour and attention to detail
- Escalate issues and concerns, in line with company process.
- Identify stakeholders, build relationships and manage expectations
- Present appropriate information clearly and concisely, whether internal or external.
- Ensure that products or publications meet contractual structures agreed with authors or other content providers.
- Think laterally and provide sensible solutions to problems.
- Demonstrate a strong ability to work as part of a team, taking on tasks confidently and resourcefully, working cooperatively with others, and supporting the team and line manager as required.
- Communicate clearly with relevant stakeholders, showing confidence, inclusiveness and flexibility, and ensuring an appropriate use of language and terminology.
- Present and communicate ideas to colleagues internally and externally as needed.
- Manage own workload and operate both individually and as part of a wider team and seek support when needed.
- Demonstrate good time-management – prioritise effectively, with the ability to manage multiple demands and deadlines.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively during remote or hybrid working, where required by their company.
Training schedule
You will spend your time working alongside seasoned publishing professionals, soaking up their expertise and putting new knowledge into practice in real-world scenarios. Picture yourself at the heart of digital publishing innovation, where each day presents fresh challenges and opportunities to shine.
The apprenticeship is an engaging blend of theory and hands-on experience, delivered in partnership with LDN Training. You'll master essential skills in content management, digital editing, and production workflows, learning how to publish and update materials across multiple platforms. Your journey will include producing digital and print-ready content, honing your proofreading and copyediting abilities, and maintaining meticulous publication records.
Throughout the programme, you’ll also explore project management within publishing, strengthen your communication skills with diverse stakeholders, and keep pace with the latest industry trends. By the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll have built an impressive portfolio that demonstrates your expertise and readiness to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-evolving publishing environment.
More training information
The programme is carefully designed to immerse you in all aspects of publishing, ensuring you gain both expertise and a strategic understanding of the sector.
During the apprenticeship, you will spend four days a week working alongside experienced publishing professionals, learning directly from their insights and expertise, and the remaining day studying for your level 4 Publishing Professional Apprenticeship, delivered remotely one day per week in sections of training such as editorial processes, design, marketing, publicity, and more.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English Language (grade Grade 4 or equivalent)
- Maths (grade Grade 4 or equivalent)
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
T Level in:
BTEC in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Interest in publishing
- Experience with Microsoft 365
Other requirements
We are strongly committed to promoting equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility and encourage all applicants to apply. Our university is positive about flexible working. This role will be hybrid, meaning one day you will be working from home.
About this employer
One of the world’s leading universities built on research and teaching practices, coupled with one of the most respected apprenticeship programmes in the UK. Our programme builds its success’s year-on-year and continues to develop, matching the needs of the university and our community. We are proud of our strong reputation, supporting each of our apprentices with individualised training, specialised projects, and targeted development to build a future career at the cutting edge of technology.
Company benefits
Generous annual leave plus closures. Pension for you and family. Well-being, counselling, and health support. Learning and development opportunities. Transport loans, Cycle to Work schemes. Workplace nursery. Staff discounts on the high street and online
After this apprenticeship
Upon completion of the apprenticeship in 2 years’ time, you will have a portfolio of key publishing skills and a wealth of varied, relevant experience.
Most apprentices are successful in securing a role with the university or choose to continue their academic studies. Opportunities to progress onto a higher apprenticeship or degree apprenticeship exist for high-performing candidates upon completion of their first apprenticeship with us.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
LDN APPRENTICESHIPS LTD
apprenticeships@manchester.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000336811.
Apply now
Closes in 23 days (Friday 5 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
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