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Emerging Talent

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Location Waterside, British Airways Head Office, London

At British Airways, we believe anyone can bring new and original ideas to the table. It’s why we invest in our emerging talent and offer them opportunities to work on projects that sit at the very heart of our airline.

Our Emerging Talent programmes offer a boarding pass to a great future, one where you’ll be able to make an impact right from the moment you join us. If you’re inspired to help shape the future of air travel and you’re ambitious to learn, then we’re ready to help you spread your wings.

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Reference 11255 Closing date 3/12/2025 Brand British Airways Career area Emerging Talent Contract type Fixed Term Full Time Location Waterside, British Airways Head Office, London Download job description


Job Description

Business Professional

Duration:  Three Years 

 Salary: Salary will be from £16,000, depending on the scheme, it will be specified during the assessment 

Location: London Heathrow 

Application Closing Date:  3 December 2025 

Start Date:  Autumn 2026  

The programme

You’ll need to be ready for anything. We’ll give you real responsibility from the first day. We want you to meet every challenge head on in our fast-paced, collaborative culture. It could be collating and analysing Cabin Crew performance data, running meetings at Heathrow or organising an internal conference. Every step along the way, you’ll be working with, and supported by, people from different teams and business levels. 

For the first 12 months of the apprenticeship, you will study towards a Business Administration qualification. Upon successful completion, tailored conversations will then explore your onward pathway onto an apprenticeship within a more specialised area of our business. 

At application stage you will be able to preference your Business Professional Apprenticeship pathway. We have three pathways, Business Professional general head office, Business Professional Engineering head office, and Business Professional Transformation. Our Business Professional Engineering head office pathway allows apprentices to get involved with different departments across the engineering directorate who play a crucial part in maintaining policies and procedures, compliance, and our fleets. If you select our Business Professional Transformation pathway, in your second year you will undertake a Project Management route within our Transformation team who are responsible for delivering exciting new projects around the business. You'll have the opportunity to be involved in lots of these projects, networking with many different stakeholders across the organisation. Our Business Professional General Head Office pathway varies between different departments across the organisation, including HR roles, Data focused roles – the list goes on. 

About You

We are looking for a strong communicator who is organised, intuitive and has the ability to adapt to change. Above all, strong self-motivation. English and Maths GCSE at grade 9-4 (A*-C) is desirable but not crucial. 

What's in it for you?

Looking to join our apprenticeship scheme? You won't be disappointed. Recently being ranked iin the Rate My Apprenticeship Top 100, we can't wait to welcome you into the British Airways family. We have many benefits for apprentices at British Airways, here are a handful to showcase the diversity of our apprentice community: 

  • Increase in salary after you have completed the first year of your apprenticeship, if completed in line with your development objectives 
  • Part of our apprentice network and community, with the opportunity to engage with apprentices from all schemes in the business and learn from former apprentices 
  • Involvement in our bold sustainability vision, volunteering an active role to champion specific community groups including LGBTQ+ 'Flying Proud' and ethnic minority network 'BeMe'
  • Involvement in Community Investment programmes, taking part in fundraising challenges for partnership charities, supporting causes close to your heart 
  • Volunteering in schools and colleges sharing personal experiences to inspire, empower and mentor students and support their potential to gain employment in the industry we love 
  • Access to heavily discounted flights to globe trot, and a generous annual leave entitlement to turn your bucket list into reality 

Further Information & Next Steps

We are delighted you are considering applying! Here’s some more information you may need about the application process: 

  • All sections of your application need to be complete, including all online tests, by the deadline given 
  • Due to high volumes of applications, you may only apply for one apprenticeship programme. We would recommend for you to read about each apprenticeship scheme before applying as only your first application will be considered 
  • If you are successful with the initial application, you will be invited to complete a short video interview within a given timeframe 
  • Across all stages of the application process, if you fail to submit by the deadline, your application will be automatically withdrawn 

At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work. 

Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain. 

Timelines for this recruitment process

  • Initial applications open between 3 November – 3 December but may close earlier if volumes are high 
  • If your initial application is successful, you will be invited to complete a video interview in December 
  • If your video interview is successful, you will be invited to the Assessment Centre which will take place in March 2026 

We recognise that AI tools can assist in writing and editing, helping to improve your grammar and overall style, however it's important to consider that reliance on AI tools can lead to applications sounding inauthentic. At British Airways we want your personality to shine through, therefore, we recommend avoiding the use of AI to increase the success of your application.

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Helping talent take off

Hear from our emerging talent about why British Airways is a great place to begin a career.

Success Profile

It takes something special to work for our airline. Here are some of the qualities we look for in our emerging talent colleagues.

  • Curious
  • Ambitious
  • Enthusiastic
  • Open-minded
  • Trustworthy
  • Responsible
Why british airways

Why British Airways?

We strive for excellence in everything we do and trust our people to help us deliver.

It’s why we empower every one of our colleagues, from the most experienced manager to the newest member of the team, to push new ideas forward. We champion a culture of belonging where colleagues can be themselves and feel truly valued for who they are and what they contribute. However, we also recognise that our graduates, apprentices and interns are right at the start of a professional journey and should always feel guided and supported to become the best they can be.

We offer our young talent clear progression pathways, as well as learning and development opportunities including networking events and quarterly forums with guest speakers from across the business.

Nandini Saini

When I arrived at British Airways, I wanted to make an impact. I have a real passion for sustainability, and during my three-month internship I was given the chance to assist with the creation of a new Environmental Standards Manual – a pocket guide to best practice and environmental standards for colleagues across the company. I had the chance to learn from some of the best minds in the business through Insight Days, one-to-ones, and networking opportunities. I loved being part of exciting projects and given real responsibilities. It was a great feeling to assist in the delivery of a world-class service to thousands of customers and help the airline take steps towards a sustainable future.

Nandini Saini

Former Future Leader Intern

Graduates & Apprentices

Graduates & Apprentices

Our emerging talent colleagues have the chance to make a real impact outside of their job when they arrive at our airline. Alongside learning the job, you’ll also be able to volunteer in schools and universities to help inspire, motivate, and mentor students considering a career in aviation. You can get involved in our bold sustainability agenda and take part in fundraising challenges for causes that you care about. In addition, you’ll have access to an emerging talent Network and Community, giving you opportunities to engage with, and learn from, current and former emerging talent colleagues from all schemes across the business

Rewards & Benefits

Discounted travel

Discounted travel

Heavily discounted air travel for yourself, friends and family accompanied with a generous annual leave entitlement, giving you plenty of days to turn your bucket list into reality.

Champion Sustainability

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

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.

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