The British Airways’ graduate scheme has shown a remarkable surge in popularity over the last two years – leaping 137 places in The Guardian UK 300 rankings – thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of the Graduate Programme team and, of course, the graduates they recruit.

Results from the largest and most comprehensive UK survey, conducted between August 2015 and January 2016, rank British Airways in sixth position among all graduate employers, up from 24th last year and 143rd in 2014.  More than 52,000 students from 120 universities voiced their opinions of graduate schemes ranging from Apple to Zurich Insurance.  British Airways was ahead of all other companies in the transport sector and even out-ranked MI5 in its attractiveness to students.  Only Google, Cancer Research UK, MI6, GlaxoSmithKline and Amazon scored higher.

Karen Hewitt, graduate and apprentice manager, said:  “I am incredibly proud of this achievement – this is our highest ever ranking in the Guardian survey and serves to cement our reputation as one of the most highly regarded graduate schemes in the country.  We have worked really hard to increase the profile of our graduate scheme and attract new talent to British Airways.  It’s great to see that our promotional activities, including our team of campus ambassadors, have been successful and we will now aim to climb even higher!”

This year British Airways will recruit 50 graduates across its six schemes – Leaders for Business, Engineering, Operational Research, Cargo, Analysts and the new Commercial graduate programme.

Charles Clark, current Leaders for Business graduate, said:  “I am the envy of many of my university friends – a place on the British Airways graduate scheme is highly prized and I’m glad that this is now reflected in the latest Guardian poll.  I’ve only been with British Airways for six months but I’ve already learned a great deal and gained real experience of the complexities of running a successful airline.  I will continue to play my part with the other graduates in promoting the schemes among students and increasing awareness of the opportunities that are available at BA.”