Hachette Australia has announced a partnership with Media Diversity Australia (MDA), becoming the inaugural book publisher member of MDA. This collaboration also marks the launch of the Hachette x MDA Publishing Traineeship, aimed at promoting diversity and inclusivity within the publishing industry.

As a member of MDA, Hachette will gain access to services such as the MDA Talent Hub, advocacy initiatives, industry roundtables, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training. The Hachette x MDA Traineeship offers a two-year entry-level position for a candidate sourced through MDA's Talent Hub. The Traineeship includes full-time employment at Hachette, mentorship from senior Hachette staff, and external mentors provided by MDA.

Louise Stark, CEO of Hachette Australia and New Zealand, stated, '"We are immensely proud to join Media Diversity Australia as their inaugural book publishing member and to collaborate on this Traineeship. We believe that we share a common goal - to ensure that our media and publishing industries look and sound more like Australia.

"The MDA vision for full and equal participation for diverse people at all levels in the media closely reflects the intent of our Changing the Story strategic pillar. This new Traineeship will complement our already well-established Summer Internship program, providing another pathway for anyone looking to enter the publishing industry. We look forward to working closely with MDA and ensuring responsible and inclusive practices in both our recruitment and our business generally.'"

Mariam Veiszadeh, CEO of Media Diversity Australia, expressed her excitement about the partnership.

"This collaboration signifies a pivotal step towards fostering greater diversity, equity and inclusivity within the publishing industry. The Hachette x MDA Publishing Traineeship embodies our commitment to creating equitable opportunities across the broader Journalism sector. We believe this initiative will pave the way for a more representative and inclusive industry, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the media and publishing landscape in Australia."

The role offered in the Traineeship will change every two years, starting in 2024 with a Publishing Assistant position. Applications for the Traineeship are now open and will close on 6 September 2024.