BA GETS FAIR TRAIN GOLD ACCREDITATION FOR STUDENTS’ WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENT

The airline has been awarded the highest level of accreditation, the gold standard, and praised for its comprehensive programme which offered more than 1,000 days of work experience last year alone.

And as students return to start the new academic year, British Airways is once again inviting pupils from schools local to Heathrow to participate in the award-winning programme for themselves.

Open to students from Year 10 and above, the 200 two-week work experience placements are available throughout the year – from engineering to customer service and flight operations.

Applications can be made online from the end of September, the airline said, adding that British Airways particularly invests in raising awareness of careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects.

Melissa Kose, British Airways’ work experience lead, said: “We are delighted to be recognised for our contribution to education and supporting local schools. Work experience is often a student’s first time in a professional environment and we know how important this can be in shaping future careers. It’s a privilege to have supported so many young people over the years.”

Cordelia Tubb (pictured), 16, a pupil from Bracknell’s Ranelagh School, who participated in a work experience programme last year, is now determined to become a pilot for British Airways after being inspired by her time with the airline.

She said: “My time in British Airways’ flight operations department made me realise that being a pilot is the only thing that I want to do in the future. My placement felt like a real job, particularly as I had to go through an interview process and really research the airline. The highlight of my placement was flying an A380 simulator – it was so incredible that I’m now determined to fly the real thing.

Being a pilot wasn’t an obvious career choice for me, but everyone I worked with was so encouraging that there simply isn’t any other job for me!”

Jessica Rexworthy of Fair Train, said: “We are delighted that British Airways is the latest organisation to be accredited with the Work Experience Quality Standard accreditation at gold level. It is well deserved recognition for a comprehensive programme.”