Virgin Atlantic launches new apprenticeship and graduate programmes
EXPERT ENGINEERS: VIRGIN ATLANTIC LAUNCHES NEW APPRENTICESHIP AND GRADUATE PROGRAMMES FOR 2022
- Virgin Atlantic is seeking to attract new talent into its engineering and maintenance teams
- Airline is offering ten spaces within its apprenticeship programme and four within its graduate scheme
- Applicants can apply here - https://careersuk.virgin-atlantic.com/
Virgin Atlantic is on the lookout for its next generation of expert engineers, as it launches its apprenticeship and graduate schemes for the first time in three years.
In a move that signals the continuing growth of the aviation industry following the global pandemic, the airline is looking to recruit ten apprentice engineers and four graduate engineers, in a bid to attract fresh new talent into the industry.
The apprentice engineers will undertake a two phased comprehensive programme spanning 24 months. Phase one incorporates academic and hand skills training to City & Guilds Level III. The new recruits will then follow a development phase which includes time spent at Resource Group’s training facility in the Cotswolds. The final 14 months of the apprenticeship is spent gaining vital hands-on experience, working with the airline’s world leading engineers across its Heathrow line and hangar maintenance facilities.
The programme will culminate in an Engineering Technician Apprenticeship certificate along with the opportunity to apply for a permanent role with the airline. Virgin Atlantic anticipates the new apprentices will commence their role on the 3 October 2022.
The airline is seeking a diverse range of applicants and is looking for candidates who have good manual dexterity, a strong sense of responsibility and the ability to work quickly and accurately. Other key attributes include being a team player, good written and spoken English and basic technical knowledge.
A 24 month graduate programme is also now open and will see recruits fully immersed in the airline from the get go. It’s designed to offer a wide view of the technical world of Virgin Atlantic, working across departments including propulsion, airframe systems, avionics, cabin and structures. Graduates will also receive essential hands on experience from the airline’s first class maintenance teams. Applicants must be a recent graduate in an engineering based subject and possess a true passion for aviation.
Neil Ambidge, Vice President Engineering and Maintenance at Virgin Atlantic, commented;
“Having started my own career as a graduate at Virgin Atlantic, I’m not only a huge advocate of developing our next generation of engineers, I’m also a testament that the opportunities these programmes enable are limitless.
“Whether you work in an engineering or maintenance role, the combined team ensure on a daily basis that our planes are fit to fly our customers safely to our incredible destinations, around the world. We’re committed to the development of our world class engineering team and I’m delighted to be offering these positions to a new cohort of candidates, as we invest in the talent of the future.
“Aircraft engineering and maintenance offers a fascinating career path and our apprentice and graduate programmes provide a brilliant opportunity to work across one of the industry’s youngest, greenest fleets out there.”
Potential applicants can apply at https://careersuk.virgin-atlantic.com/search-and-apply
For more information please contact the Virgin Atlantic Press Office on 01293 747373 or email press.office@fly.virgin.com
Notes to editors
About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2021, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the fifth year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs 6,500 people worldwide, flying customers to 27 destinations across four continents. Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. On 3 February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers.
Sustainability remains central to Virgin Atlantic, having taken an industry leadership position through its long-standing support for SAF commercialisation and fleet transformation programme. Since September 2019, the airline has welcomed eight new Airbus A350-1000 with a further A350-100 and three A339s entering the fleet in 2021. By the end of 2022 the average fleet age will be just over six years, driving a fuel efficiency (CO2 /RTK) improvement of 30% compared to 2007. For more information visit www.virginatlantic.com or via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @virginatlantic.