Long-haul airline 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 10 apprentice engineers and four graduate engineers, in a bid to attract fresh new talent into the industry.
The apprentices 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.
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 open. It is 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 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, said: “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. Applications will close on May 15.
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