Apprentices
Our apprenticeships have been designed to give you the best possible start to your career. You’ll earn while you learn, and gain qualifications along the way, too. If you have the passion and the ambition, then we have the experience to help you embark on a thrilling career in aviation. This is your chance to begin a journey with the nation’s flag carrier, and get a head start with one of the UK’s very best apprentice employers.
Below, you can see which apprenticeships are available this year, entry requirements, and the step by step application process.
Apprenticeships
Business
Engineering
Business
Business
You’ll get to taste a range of different departments at our Heathrow Head Office during this three-year programme. It could be collating Cabin Crew performance data, organising fundraising events for our charity partners or coordinating activity at our worldwide airports.
Data
This apprenticeship programme is designed to develop the next generation of data professionals at British Airways. Gaining hands-on experience in how data is used to inform decisions, solve business challenges, and improve customer and operational performance across the airline.
Engineering
Heathrow Aircraft Maintenance
Help us take care of our fleet and support our worldwide engineering operation at our base in Heathrow, where you’ll complete rotational placements to service and repair our aircraft. The three year programme will give you the knowledge, skills and behaviours to achieve your A-licence and become a professional Aircraft Engineer. You’ll need to hold or be predicted a grade 5 in Maths.
Gatwick Licensed Aircraft Engineer
This is a 4-year apprenticeship programme based at London Gatwick, offering a unique opportunity to develop the skills needed to become a qualified Aircraft Engineer. One shift you could be carrying out complex maintenance on a long-haul aircraft preparing for its next international journey, and the next you could be troubleshooting a technical issue alongside experienced engineers to help keep our operation running safely and reliably.
Glasgow Licensed Aircraft Engineer
This is a 4-year apprenticeship programme based at Glasgow, offering a unique opportunity to develop the skills needed to become a qualified Aircraft Engineer. One shift you could be carrying out complex maintenance on a long-haul aircraft preparing for its next international journey, and the next you could be troubleshooting a technical issue alongside experienced engineers to help keep our operation running safely and reliably.
Cardiff Licensed Aircraft Engineer
This is a 4-year apprenticeship programme based at Cardiff, offering a unique opportunity to develop the skills needed to become a qualified Aircraft Engineer. One shift you could be carrying out complex maintenance on a long-haul aircraft preparing for its next international journey, and the next you could be troubleshooting a technical issue alongside experienced engineers to help keep our operation running safely and reliably.
Wales Aircraft Systems and Components
Our avionic component maintenance facility is a high-spec, modern workshop. Across the three-years, you’ll maintain, repair and overhaul critical aircraft components from flight-deck instruments and radios, to motors, actuators, wiring looms, lighting systems and more.
Engineering Supply Chain
Every day, you’ll support the worldwide engineering logistics operation by shipping aircraft components to our UK bases and overseas line stations. You’ll work in different areas of logistics and inventory management, gaining the experience to help keep materials flowing to our engineers and aircraft.
Aircraft Mechanic
Over a series of placements, you’ll work on different aircraft fleets. Across these two-years, you’ll work alongside and learn from some incredibly talented mechanics and engineers to become one of our future Mechanics.
Aircraft Workshop
Throughout this apprenticeship, you'll gain hands-on experience across a range of engineering environments, developing the practical skills and technical knowledge needed for a career in aircraft maintenance. Working alongside experienced engineers and technicians, you'll help inspect, maintain, and repair aircraft components, playing a vital role in keeping our aircraft flying safely and reliably.
US Engineering Cadet
Our partnership with AIM college enables engineering students to join a sponsored three-year programme to put their engineering theory into practice across one of our US engineering bases. Spending some time in London, our engineering cadets gain all the skills they need to become certified aircraft engineers.
Your application journey
Before you apply
Register an account on our Discover & Prep hub. Explore what it's like to work at British Airways, check your eligibility and prepare for the assessment process ahead.
Stage 1 - Online assessment
Once you have completed the activities on our Discover & Prep hub, you can begin your application. You will then be invited to complete an online assessment.
Stage 2 - Video interview
Successful candidates will then be invited to complete a Video Interview to assess your motivation and fit for the role.
Stage 3 - Assessment Centre
If you reach the final stage, you will be invited to Waterside for an Assessment Centre where you will complete an interview and work related exercises.
Entry requirements for Business Schemes
Business
Duration: 3 Years
Location: London Heathrow
Requirements: English and Maths GCSE at grade 9 - 4 (A*- C) is desirable.
Salary: £19,906
Completing rotational placements in our head office and more. You will collate and analyse Cabin Crew performance data, run meetings at Heathrow or organise an internal conference. For the first 12 months, you will study towards a Business Administration qualification. After completion, you will explore a further qualification within a more specialised area of our business.
Data Science
Duration: 3.5 years
Location: London Heathrow
Requirements: GCSEs in English and Maths grade 9-4 and hold or be predicted to hold 3 A Levels totalling a minimum of 128 UCAS points (equivalent to ABB) with a minimum grade B at A Level Maths
Salary: £27,611
You will gain experience across a range of product teams within our Insight & Innovation Data and AI department, developing the skills and knowledge to use data to solve business challenges and inform decision-making. Alongside your role, you will work towards a BSc Data Science (Integrated Degree) Level 6 Apprenticeship Standard and be part of a vibrant apprentice community.
Entry requirements for Engineering schemes
Heathrow Aircraft Maintenance
Duration: 3 Years
Location: London Heathrow and off-site training with accommodation provided.
Requirements: Aged 16 by start date. Minimum of grade 5 (B) in Maths. English and Science GCSE at grade 9 – 4 (A* - C) is desirable. Predicted grades accepted if achieved by the start of the apprenticeship. Engineering students will complete a skills scan after applying.
Salary: £16,000
You’ll work alongside incredibly talented engineers to become an aircraft engineer of tomorrow, working on real aircraft. Included off-site accommodation, where you will train and study towards your CAA Part-66 Category A Licence Modules, as well as Level 2 and 3 engineering qualifications.
Gatwick Licensed Aircraft Engineer
Duration: 4 years
Location: Gatwick
Requirements: A Level Maths (England and Wales) or Higher Maths (Scotland) and A Level Physics, Engineering or Chemistry (England and Wales) or Higher Physics or Engineering Science Scotland or an equivalent Level 3 qualification, such as Level 3 Diploma in Aeronautical or Mechanical Engineering.
Salary: £17,339
You will work on world-class aircraft in a fast-paced operational environment where safety, teamwork and technical excellence are at the heart of everything we do. Hands-on experience from working in our hangars and maintenance facilities, learning from experienced engineers as you build the practical experience needed to become a future Licensed Aircraft Engineer.
Glasgow Licensed Aircraft Engineer
Duration: 4 years
Location: Glasgow Airport
Requirements: A Level Maths (England and Wales) or Higher Maths (Scotland) and A Level Physics, Engineering or Chemistry (England and Wales) or Higher Physics or Engineering Science Scotland or an equivalent Level 3 qualification, such as Level 3 Diploma in Aeronautical or Mechanical Engineering.
Salary: £17,339
You will work on world-class aircraft in a fast-paced operational environment where safety, teamwork and technical excellence are at the heart of everything we do. Hands-on experience from working in our hangars and maintenance facilities, learning from experienced engineers as you build the practical experience needed to become a future Licensed Aircraft Engineer.
Cardiff Licensed Aircraft Engineer
Duration: 4 years
Location: Cardiff
Requirements: A Level Maths (England and Wales) or Higher Maths (Scotland) and A Level Physics, Engineering or Chemistry (England and Wales) or Higher Physics or Engineering Science Scotland or an equivalent Level 3 qualification, such as Level 3 Diploma in Aeronautical or Mechanical Engineering.
Salary: £17,339
You will work on world-class aircraft in a fast-paced operational environment where safety, teamwork and technical excellence are at the heart of everything we do. Hands-on experience from working in our hangars and maintenance facilities, learning from experienced engineers as you build the practical experience needed to become a future Licensed Aircraft Engineer.
Wales Aircraft Systems and Components
Duration: 3 Years
Location: Cardiff Airport
Requirements: Aged 16 by start date. Grade C in Maths, and grade C in English and one Science. Predicted grades accepted if achieved by the start of the apprenticeship.
Salary: £15,643
Learn how aircraft really work; from lighting to navigation, radio, radar, and safety systems. Our avionic component maintenance facility is a high-spec, modern workshop where engineers maintain, repair and overhaul a variety of critical aircraft components. We also maintain and calibrate the specialist tooling and test systems. Safety, reliability and quality are at the heart of what we do, and we continuously innovate to make systems better.
Engineering Supply Chain
Duration: 18 Months
Location: London Heathrow
Requirements: Aged 18 by start date. 3 GCSE’s including English and Maths GCSE at grade 9 - 4 (A* - C) is desirable.
Salary: £17,339
You’ll work alongside incredible engineers who support our operation around the globe. Over a series of placements, you’ll work in different areas of logistics and inventory management, gaining the experience and know how to help keep materials flowing to our engineers and aircraft. Comprehensive on-the-job training, studying towards the qualifications you need to become one of our future Material Suppliers. You will also have opportunities to work in different operational environments.
Aircraft Mechanic
Duration: 2 Years
Location: London Heathrow
Requirements: Aged 18 by start date.
Salary: £16,000
A series of placements to learn from incredibly talented mechanics and engineers. You will develop your skills in performing servicing and maintenance tasks on aircraft or components, in a real job and on different aircraft fleets. You’re going to be busy because you'll also be studying towards qualifications you need to become one of our future Mechanics in one of our operational bases.
Aircraft Workshop
Duration: 3.5 years
Location: London Heathrow
Requirements: a minimum of a grade 5 (B) in Maths. English and Science GCSE at grade 9 – 4 (A* - C) desirable. Predicted grades accepted if achieved by the start of the apprenticeship.
Salary: £17,339
You will rotate across a variety of engineering disciplines to build a broad understanding of the highly sophisticated systems and components that keep our aircraft operating safely and efficiently. Alongside on-the-job training, you'll work towards an industry-recognised qualification, equipping you to become one of British Airways’ future Workshop Engineers.
US Engineering Cadet
Duration: 3 Years
Location: Various stations in US and trips to London for 2-3 weeks at a time.
Requirements: Before you apply you need to be enrolled on a programme with AIM college based in the US.
Salary: $70,000
You’ll complete two years tuition at AIM, and then join us for a three year program to put your theory into practice. Most of the time, you’ll be working at the designated station to build your experience and skills, with a few trips to London to gain further business understanding. You will be mentored by experienced British Airways engineers who will provide valuable insights and support, helping you navigate your path to becoming a fully licensed aircraft engineer.
Why British Airways?
We want all our people to feel valued for the role they play at British Airways. That includes all our emerging talent. It’s why our graduates and apprentices get the same benefits as our other colleagues, right from the day they join. Here are just some of the rewards you’ll get to enjoy when you arrive at British Airways. They include some rather good travel perks, too.
Discounted travel
Heavily discounted air travel for yourself, friends and family accompanied with a generous annual leave entitlement of 22 days to turn your bucket list into reality.
Champion Sustainability
Play a part in driving our sustainability agenda through fundraising for charity partners, volunteering for charities or championing our colleague diversity networks.
Become an ambassador
Access our Graduate and Apprentice Networks to learn from current and former colleagues on our schemes, and volunteer to inspire the next generation to consider an aviation career.
Speedbird-Z
Like what you see? Explore more of the world of aviation by registering to our dedicated student website, Speedbird-Z.
This one-stop-shop gives you the opportunity to directly chat online with our colleagues, register for upcoming events we are running or attending, and complete learning modules to build your confidence in employability, as well as learn more about British Airways.
Learn more
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Work Experience & School Programmes It doesn’t matter what your background is, or where you come from. It’s where you’re going that we care about. -
Graduates, Business Placements and Interns Our graduate programmes, business placements and summer internships offer a chance to join a dynamic and diverse team that’s playing a lead role in the future of flying.