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HarperCollins’ BAME traineeship, set up to help address underrepresentation in the company and in the wider trade, is open for applications for the fourth year running. Applications will be made through HarperCollins’ blind recruitment platform for the first time, and will be open to graduates and non-graduates.
Two successful candidates will undertake a 12-month rotational traineeship around the business in its London Bridge offices, learning about HarperCollins and the business of publishing, receiving training and support throughout the year. Each will also have the guidance of a senior mentor throughout the year.
“The programme has helped create a pipeline of talent from final assessment stage candidates, who are invited to apply for entry level roles in the business alongside other candidates,” HarperCollins said. “Since launch in 2016, the programme has seen ten people take up positions in the company, either after completing their traineeship, or from entering the talent pipeline.”
Applications close on 2nd June 2019 and successful candidates will receive a training allowance equivalent to an entry level salary, starting their traineeship in October. In March it was revealed that for the first time, applications will follow HarperCollins’s blind recruitment process, which removes identifying details such as those relating to gender, race and education from applications before the shortlisting stage.
Director of people John Athanasiou said: “It’s important to not only build a diverse workforce that represents our consumers - but one where everyone feels welcomed accepted and can thrive and reach their maximum potential. This programme has been very successful to date in bringing new talent to HarperCollins and is a key component of our ongoing diversity and inclusion strategy. Applications for our recent grad scheme were double what was achieved last time around, and I hope potential BAME candidates also take this opportunity to sign up for a scheme that is important not just for HarperCollins, but the industry as a whole.”
Alicia Ingram, one of the third BAME traineeship intake who is now a sales assistant at HarperCollins, said: “I think this is a very significant scheme to help improve diversity in publishing; I found the traineeship experience incredibly positive and rewarding, and I am now very proud to have a permanent role at HarperCollins and would encourage anyone eligible and looking to work in the industry to consider applying.”
The BAME traineeship is one of several initiatives aimed at strengthening diversity and inclusion at HarperCollins and was launched with the support of the Business in the Community race campaign and the Publishers Association.
The BAME population UK-wide is 14% according to the 2011 Census; the Publishers Association Survey of 2018 put BAME staff at 11.6% of the publishing industry. Last month, Hachette published an Ethnicity Pay Gap report, and is one of only a handful of UK companies to do so.
For more information, and to apply, visit this website.