Penguin Random House | London, 03/15/2016

‘Finding the Book Editors of the Future’

Penguin Random House UK announces round two of "The Scheme  ," a recruitment program launched last year to reach the broadest possible audience. The entry-level program is open to all regardless of experience or qualifications. The goal this time is to reach and recruit future book editors from a wide range of backgrounds in an effort to make publishing more inclusive.

13-month trainee program

The British publishing group is working with secondary schools and partners, and recruiting via the social media site Snapchat to reach talented people who may never otherwise have considered a career in publishing. Four aspiring editors will earn a 13-month fully-paid traineeship from September, including two six-month placements within Penguin Random House UK’s prestigious publishing divisions. They will work with the editorial teams that acquire break-through books like Paula Hawkins’ "The Girl On The Train"; spot emerging talent such as YouTubers Dan and Phil; unearth lost treasures including Beatrix Potter’s "The Tale of Kitty In Boots," and edit long-established authors from James Patterson to Sophie Kinsella.

"Can you bring a story to life?"

A theme of story-telling will underpin every stage of The Scheme’s assessment process and all of Penguin Random House UK’s outreach across platforms SnapChat, Tumblr, Twitter and Facebook, with the overarching campaign message, "Can you bring a story to life?" In the application stage, candidates will not be asked for CVs or qualifications, but simply to respond to four questions that are designed to assess six core strengths needed to succeed as an editor. This is the second time Penguin Random House has run The Scheme, having launched it to attract the marketers of tomorrow in 2015. Last year, four very different, very talented candidates went on to join the company: a home-based cake business owner, a sixth form student, a software salesperson, and a history graduate.

"You don’t need to have a degree to know what makes a great story"

Neil Morrison, Group HR Director, Penguin Random House UK, believes in the concept: "The Scheme is about finding potential in people, and we know that comes in many forms. We learnt so much last year, namely that you don’t need to have a degree or background in book publishing to know what makes a great story. By recruiting on strengths and potential alone, we as publishers will benefit from the different perspectives and experiences of talented people from a wider range of backgrounds – at the earliest stage of acquiring books. Coupled with the experience and intuition of our existing editors, I believe this will influence how creatively and successfully we publish books that appeal to all kinds of readers. We want to drive positive change both in our publishing teams and the wider industry in a meaningful and long-lasting way."

Applications accepted through April 8

Successful candidates will work closely with a manager and a mentor over 13-months and will be fully supported with a tailored personal development program. Candice Brown-Brathwaite, who won a 13-month placement within Penguin Random House UK’s marketing teams through The Scheme last year, commented: "The Scheme experience lit a fire within me for something I didn’t even know that I could achieve. How awesome is that? I chose not to go to university and to get that ‘worldly degree’ and it seems I got a first! The Scheme allowed me to show and use the skills that I had taught myself."

Applicants can apply to the program until Apr 8. The Scheme is one of several initiatives Penguin Random House UK has introduced to make publishing more inclusive by 2020. This year, the publisher removed the requirement for a degree from all new jobs to open its doors to a wider talent pool; recruited a dedicated HR specialist to reform its work experience offering so that all candidates have an equal opportunity to apply; and announced a national outreach program targeting job-seekers and aspiring writers and illustrators from a wide range of backgrounds in Birmingham, Manchester and London – offering mentoring opportunities, practical workshops, and the chance to make direct personal connections.