As part of its Changing the Story initiative (launched in 2016), Hachette UK has partnered with the Book Trade Charity (BTBS), to offer subsidised accommodation in London to people starting their careers in publishing for whom London is otherwise prohibitively expensive. This offer will also be open to successful applicants for the Hachette BAME trainee programme, the first of whom will begin their 12-month paid internship in September.
In January, Hachette made a donation to BTBS in memory of Carole Blake - a past President and a huge supporter of the charity. This donation will help fund the complete refurbishment of one of the four blocks of The Bookbinders’ Cottages in Barnet about to be undertaken by the charity. Work is due to be completed on the cottages by September, when the first five trainees will begin their year with Hachette. In addition to being paid entry-level salaries, the trainees will be offered subsidised accommodation in the London flats for up to a 6-month fixed period. Hachette will consider other applications for the subsidised accommodation from people starting out on their careers, on a needs basis.
Changing the Story is an ongoing project focusing on diversity and inclusion, chaired by David Shelley, devised and run by staff at Hachette. In addition to the 12-month trainee scheme, other initiatives include Hachette’s outreach programme into schools, its diverse mentoring programme and 8-week paid internship programme. Further initiatives arising from the project will be announced in due course.
David Shelley commented: ‘I am so thrilled that Hachette and BTBS are working in partnership on this project. The cost of accommodation in London can be such a barrier to entry to our industry, and I hope this will help some talented people get a start in publishing who would otherwise not have been able to do so.’
David Hicks, of BTBS, said: ‘This is a very exciting time for The Book Trade Charity. We have long been conscious that we need to do more to support younger people entering the trade. Over the last two years we have launched two initiatives, helping to fund interns on work placement, and a wide-ranging scheme to cover a variety of costs young people have in finding employment. Our partnership with Hachette builds on this to address the fundamental issue of affordable housing, and with the resources of Bookbinders Charitable Society, following the merger last October, this support can now become a reality.’
The Carole Blake Open Doors Project is also supported by BTBS, and will offer at least six days of work shadowing to a selected applicant over a two-week period, including funding for travel and up to eight nights’ accommodation in London. The programme, which will run twice a year, will include close mentorship with Blake Friedmann’s book agents, the opportunity to attend selected meetings with editors and clients, and the chance to be involved in every aspect of day-to-day life as an agent. It is intended that candidates will come away from the project with varied knowledge of working for a leading literary agency, the beginnings of new and essential relationships in the publishing industry, and some excellent experience to include on their CVs.
To find out more about the CBODP, and apply for future placements, click here:
http://blakefriedmann.co.uk/carole-blake-open-doors-project
To find out more about Hachette’s Fresh Chapters internship initiative, click here: http://freshchapters.co.uk/index.php