The HarperCollins Traineeship, set up to help address underrepresentation in HarperCollins and in the wider publishing industry, is open for applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates for the fifth year running. Applications are open to graduates and non-graduates and are made through HarperCollins’ blind recruitment platform.Two successful candidates will undertake a twelve-month rotational traineeship around the business, 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 traineeship 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. Since its launch in 2016, the traineeship has seen thirty people take up positions in the company, either after completing their year, or from entering the talent pipeline. Applications open on 14 September until 15 October 2020 and successful candidates will receive a training allowance equivalent to an entry level salary, starting in January 2021.
John Athanasiou, Director of People, said, ‘I’m delighted to announce The HarperCollins Traineeship for 2021, this is a very important programme and part of our race equality strategy for HarperCollins. Our vision is to create a company that truly represents the world we live in to help grow the business. This scheme attracts the very best talent into our organisation and not only is there the offer of the two traineeship positions but there is also the opportunity to be interviewed for entry-level roles as part of our talent pipeline.’
In 2020, HarperCollins welcomed Nancy Adimora back to the business as Audience Development Manager reporting into Charlie Redmayne, CEO, focusing on sourcing diverse titles and authors across the organisation. Nancy was introduced to the business through the trainee scheme in 2017. Nancy said, "This traineeship has been invaluable. For prospective trainees, it’s the perfect entry point into the world of publishing and a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the industry, but there is also a lot that we can learn from working with new talent from underrepresented communities. The traineeship has had, and will continue to have, a positive impact on the wider business and I’m really looking forward to meeting the new candidates and supporting this year’s selection process."
Applications are managed via HarperCollins’s blind recruitment platform, with candidates answering a series of questions rather than submitting CVs. Successful candidates will be invited to a virtual assessment day on 5 November consisting of networking and presentations with traineeship alumni, talks and seminars about publishing as well as interviews with managers from across the business. A second assessment day will follow with interviews with the CEO and executive team, presentations from the candidates and a group exercise.
Candidates can apply for the traineeship at www.harpercollins.co.uk/corporate/careers or email to [email protected]
