BA welcomes women in engineering day
Above: Tsungi Maruta, mechanic.
Tsungi Maruta started out as a British Airways Engineering apprentice and now works with the very latest in aviation technology on the airline’s new long-haul fleet, including the 787 Dreamliner and A380 Superjumbo.
British Airways mechanic, Tsungi Maruta, said: “I have gained great experience on the Engineering apprenticeship programme.
“I really enjoy working with the aircraft up close, I find it very rewarding. The programme has given me a great path into an amazing career and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone.”
In addition to the apprenticeship scheme, the airline also offers an Engineering graduate programme.
Eleanor Levitt studied aerospace engineering at the University of Liverpool before gaining a place on the airline’s Engineering graduate scheme. She is also a champion on the British Airways Diversity in Engineering Programme, an initiative which helps to highlight the opportunities available at the airline to students in local communities.
Above:
Eleanor Levitt (left), British Airways Engineering graduate.
Courtesy British Airways / Photo Stuart Bailey
British Airways engineering graduate, Eleanor Levitt, said: “The graduate programme is an incredible career opportunity.
“As part of the programme you get to rotate around a variety of areas in the Engineering Department which gives you a greater appreciation and depth of knowledge across a range of disciplines.
“I have been trusted with a lot of responsibility at British Airways while always having full support from my colleagues.
“There really is a nurturing environment for young engineers here.”
Above:
Lauren Stacey, Female Engineer at British Airways Maintenance Cardiff (BAMC).
Courtesy British Airways / Photo Stuart Bailey
Lauren Stacey is a team leader at the airline’s long-haul aircraft heavy maintenance facility in South Wales. She was appointed to the role of 787 project leader last year to prepare the British Airways Maintenance Cardiff (BAMC) team for the Dreamliner.
Stacey, and the team of experts at BAMC successfully completed the first planned maintenance on one of the airline’s new 787 aircraft in May. She has spoken at a number of events, including in Washington DC, to promote women in engineering on behalf of British Airways.
British Airways Maintenance Cardiff 787 project team leader, Lauren Stacey, said: “I think it’s crucial to give young people as much information, and as many options as possible so they can decide on a career that’s best for them – whatever it is.
“I believe it’s important for girls and young women to speak to women already working in STEM areas to learn from their experiences and to show them it’s a realistic career option for them, as much as it is for boys.
“Whether you want to be an engineer, pilot or any other role at the airline, British Airways offers a huge range of diverse and interesting careers for women and men alike.”
General manager, Joanna James sits on the airline’s Engineering Leadership Team. James and her team ensure that every one of the airline’s fleet of more than 280 aircraft are checked, readied and returned to the operation safely and on time for the airline’s customers to enjoy.
Above:
British Airways general manager of customer excellence, Joanna James.
Courtesy British Airways
Joanna James, said: “We believe that it’s extremely important to get out there and show as many girls and women as possible that a rewarding career in engineering is absolutely realistic.
“There needs to be more female examples and role models to encourage more female applications in order to bust the myth that it is a job for men – that simply isn’t the case.
“As an airline we want to attract the very best engineering talent to continue to provide the very highest standards for our customers, and naturally that means drawing on female applicants, as well as male.”
