Bookseller : Training

Training is mainly on the job and there is currently no formal professional qualification in this area. Membership of The Booksellers Association (BA) or The Antiquarian Booksellers Association (ABA) , as appropriate, may be useful.

All posts are likely to involve structured training in the form of an induction, covering an introduction to the business and basic bookselling techniques. Further training opportunities vary depending on the size and nature of the organisation but may include:

• customer service;
• bibliographic searching;
• specialist areas, such as children's bookselling or event management.

For those aiming higher, some larger employers offer fast track training schemes or trainee manager schemes, covering areas such as:

• recruitment and management of staff;
• marketing;
• business and consumer legislation;
• stock management;
• budgeting and finance.

In smaller businesses, training and development may be provided primarily by more experienced colleagues, though some external training courses may be supported. The Booksellers Association (BA)  runs some training courses, including an 'Introduction to Bookselling' course.

Postgraduate courses are available in the history of the book, which may be an option for those interested in a career in antiquarian bookselling and who are interested in further study.