BA gets National Apprenticeship Week off to flying start
British Airways offers the largest Cabin Crew Apprenticeship programme in the UK and expects to employ around 2,000 cabin crew this year. As part of the new year-long scheme, apprentices complete an intensive training course and then continue their training in the air and on the ground, with continuous support from a certified apprenticeship coach.
The airline is also taking on 48 former Monarch Aircraft Engineering Apprentices.
Earlier this year, the apprentices from the engineering arm of the collapsed short-haul airline were invited to visit British Airways’ engineering base at Heathrow. All 48 apprentices then accepted the offer to continue their apprenticeship with the airline, enabling them to complete the EASA Part-66 A licence and an NVQ in aircraft maintenance.
Jason Mahoney, British Airways’ Director of Engineering, said: “We’re committed to investing in the very best talent and are passionate about supporting development within the Engineering community. Having met the apprentices and seeing how driven, hard-working and capable they are, I knew that they would be the perfect fit for our team. Helping them to qualify as aircraft engineers with British Airways is a fantastic outcome for everyone involved.”
Lee Rome, one of the former Monarch apprentices who will be joining British Airways, added: “We were all facing an uncertain future following the events that took place at Monarch in January. Myself, and many of my colleagues, felt our dreams of becoming qualified Aircraft Engineers slipping away. I couldn’t be more grateful to British Airways for taking us all on and allowing us to complete our apprenticeship - we’re all so excited to begin our British Airways journey.”
As the airline celebrates 100 years of flying, more than 100 places are now available on one of the airline’s seven apprenticeship programmes. From Head Office and Customer Service roles to opportunities in Engineering and Operations, there is a scheme to suit all skills and ambitions. In addition, the new Cabin Crew Apprenticeship programme will provide a further 1600 apprenticeship positions in 2019.
Karen Hewitt, British Airways’ Apprenticeship & Emerging Talent Manager, said: “British Airways has a long tradition of running quality apprenticeship schemes, offering apprentices an incredible insight into how to run a successful airline business. Our apprentices have the unique opportunity to learn from the very best industry experts, while undertaking practical training in a real-world environment.
“I would encourage anyone, at any age, to apply for one of our apprenticeships in 2019, as we celebrate our centenary and look ahead to the next 100 years of flying. There really has never been a better time to join British Airways.”
Apprenticeships are open to applicants of all ages starting from 16 years old, with 5 GCSEs A*-C or equivalent, including English and Maths at grade A*-C (cabin crew apprentices must be 18 or over).
For more information and to apply, click here
