Penguin Random House UK has announced it will be removing any requirement for a university degree for all new jobs with the company.
Its aim is to open up opportunities in publishing and attract a more varied candidate pool and future workforce. Already the organisation has no requirements for A-levels or UCAS points.
The publisher has removed the degree filter from all job advertisements, role descriptions and recruitment processes in the UK with immediate effect, and will instead focus on giving applicants the opportunity to demonstrate their potential, creativity, strengths and ideas, regardless of background.
Neil Morrison, group HR director, UK and international, told HR magazine that this policy is an evolution of the previous decision not to consider A-level UCAS points. “That policy didn’t damage us at all, and this won’t either,” he said.
“It gives us the chance to be more open, inclusive, and recognise the skills that the business really needs. Many of those joining us this year will have degrees, but we want to give the message that you can still apply without one.
“Simply, if you’re talented and have potential we want to hear from you.”
He added that other organisations could consider a similar approach. “[Recruiters] need to ask ‘Am I asking the right questions to get the answers I need, or am I asking the same question I’ve been asking for years and being frustrated we’re getting the same answers?’,” he said.
“This is the starting point for our concerted action to make publishing far more inclusive than it has been to date. Now we need to be more visible to talented people across the UK. We believe this is critical to our future – to publish the best books that appeal to readers everywhere we need to have staff from different backgrounds with different perspectives, and a workforce that truly reflects today’s society.”
