In an aviation first, British Airways is inviting budding customer champions to apply for a new Customer Service apprenticeship scheme
The two-year apprenticeship will immerse successful candidates in a tailor-made programme that combines the skills and experience required to provide an outstanding experience to British Airways customers, both on the ground and in the air.
The 72 successful recruits, half of whom will join the airline in October 2015 and the second half in October 2016, will undertake a year’s training at Heathrow as customer service representatives, assisting passengers as they journey through the airport. The second year will be dedicated to learning how to look after the needs of customers in the air, working as part of a team of Mixed Fleet cabin crew. This is believed to be the first time such an opportunity has ever been offered as part of an apprenticeship. In addition to the on-the-job training and support, the apprentices will also receive tuition from experts in customer service skills in a class room environment.
The apprentices will work towards an NVQ Level 3 in Customer Service – all the while earning a competitive wage and gaining broad and invaluable work experience.
Karen Hewitt, British Airways’ apprentice and graduate manager said: “We are really excited about this new apprenticeship scheme. Delivering excellent customer service is at the heart of our business and we are investing to help our colleagues perfect their service skills. The beauty of this scheme is it enables apprentices to work across both ground and air and encourages sharing of knowledge and skills.”
British Airways has a long and proud history of offering apprenticeships. The addition of Customer Service brings the total number of schemes on offer to 13. From Engineering, Operations and IT to Head Office and World Cargo, there is a programme to suit all skills and interests.
Jill Lowery, deputy director (London) of the National Apprenticeship Service said: “It’s great to see the commitment that British Airways has made to apprenticeships with the launch of its new Customer Service Apprenticeship Programme. Apprenticeships have proved to be a valuable route for business to attract fresh talent and retain skilled, motivated staff. The National Apprenticeship Service recognises the recent expansion of British Airways’ apprenticeship programmes which now cater for a range of roles across various departments’.
Nicole Mitchell, a newly recruited Engineering apprentice, said of her time so far at British Airways: “I’m loving it. I honestly could not have asked for better. I started in October and was nervous on my first day, but it’s been easy to settle in and I’ve learned so much.”
Further information on British Airways’ apprenticeships can be found at www.ba.com/careers. Applications for the new Customer Service apprenticeship can be made via this site.