HarperCollins: BAME and the publishing industry

Following its successful launch in 2016, HarperCollins UK has today announced that it is once again running its BAME traineeship programme, aimed at black, Asian and minority ethnic individuals who might not otherwise have thought about publishing as a potential career. The traineeships were created to help tackle BAME underrepresentation within the business and the wider industry, and were launched with the support of Business in the Community’s race campaign, of which HarperCollins UK is a member, and the Publishers Association. To make sure the company can draw on the widest pool of potential BAME talent, this year the programme has been opened up to non-graduates.

HarperCollins will select two candidates for a paid 12-month rotational training contract, encompassing different aspects of the publishing business, to begin in October 2017. As well as learning about HarperCollins’ divisions and functions during the programme, the successful candidates will receive training and support from HarperCollins, and have the guidance of a senior mentor throughout the year. 

The application process will also create a pipeline of talent from the final assessment stage candidates, who will be invited to apply for other entry level roles in the business, alongside other candidates. Following the 2016 BAME Traineeship scheme, as well as the two successful recruits a further eight candidates have gone on to take up entry level positions within HarperCollins UK in areas such as marketing, sales and design.

Applications for the traineeships launched on Wednesday 14th June and will be advertised on multiple social media platforms, through HarperCollins’ university networks, student unions and other influencers, running for four weeks and closing on Wednesday 12th July. 

HarperCollins’ separate and long-running Graduate Scheme runs every two years, and is next planned for Autumn 2017.

Director of People, John Athanasiou, said: “Our first BAME traineeship programme was very successful and we as a company are already seeing the benefits through the very talented individuals who are now well into their year-long training programme, and those that have taken other positions in the company.”

CEO Charlie Redmayne said: “I am proud that already some outstanding new talent has entered our industry through the HarperCollins BAME traineeship programme. It’s initiatives like this that move us forward as a company and bring us closer to better reflecting society at large and enabling us to reach even more readers.” 

The BAME traineeship is one of a series of diversity initiatives at HarperCollins. Its diversity forum won the Employee Network category at Business in the Community’s Race Equality Awards in October, and the company won the Inclusivity in Publishing Award at this year’s London Book Fair. The Guardian and 4th Estate BAME Short Story Prize is now in its second year, and recently announced its shortlist, featuring six writers of varied BAME backgrounds.

Candidates can apply here.

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