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.
Inspire is our award-winning work experience programme that gives students a taste of what we do at British Airways and showcases what a career in aviation looks like with the nation’s flag carrier.
Each and every one of our colleagues at British Airways is ready to help motivate and guide the next generation of talent, and help you gain a taste of our industry.
Work Experience & Student Programmes
Student Opportunities
Work Experience
Teacher Zone
Student Opportunities
Speedbird-Z
Explore more of the world of aviation by registering on our award-winning student platform, Speedbird-Z, to complete learning modules, register for upcoming events and chat to our British Airways mentors.
Golden Ticket Programme
Our Golden Ticket programme recognises the exceptional students we meet at career events. We look for positivity and a proactive attitude. Winners receive exclusive opportunities each month across a ten-month programme.
Your Flying Future
Ever considered a career in the flight deck? Join us at HQ for ‘Your Flying Future’ workshops to take part in flight planning activities and hear from our pilot guest speakers who will give you an insight into the life and role of a British Airways Pilot.
Meet the Emerging Talent Team
If you have any questions about joining us on a work experience placement or want to find out more about any of our Emerging Talent programmes, then we're on hand in regular drop-in sessions to help and would love to hear from you.
Partnerships
We work with some incredible partners, whose goals and commitments to improving social mobility and career accessibility for all students closely match our own. Each partnership is unique, and we are honoured to work with each of them.
Work Experience
Insight Days
Our Insights Days are one-day in-person experiences allowing students to gain first-hand experience of working for British Airways. The days include activities, Q&A panels, workshops, tours, guest speakers and more! These opportunities are aimed at school and college students in Year 9/S3 students and above.
Work Experience Placements
Our placements allow students to delve deep into specific areas of our business and gain an insight into behind-the-scenes activity. Our placements are usually days long and include activities, tours, employability session and project work. These opportunities are aimed at school or college students in year 10/S4 and above.
Inspire Student Ambassador
Our Inspire Student Ambassador programme invites students who have completed a Work Experience Placement at British Airways to apply for an ambassador role and further develop their confidence, work readiness and employability skills.
Teacher Zone
Partners School & Colleges
In addition to our UK wide outreach, we work closely with a number of ethnically and socially diverse schools and colleges, right on our hub’s doorstep. These partnerships enable us to invest in and support homegrown student talent, who look up and see us in the sky every day.
Inspire Ambassadors
As part of our commitment to supporting education and sparking interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, our British Airways Inspire ambassadors will be working closely with schools to deliver engaging and interactive STEM sessions for Year 7 – Year 9 students.
Invite us to your school
Would you like us to visit your students? We attend many career fairs and school events to showcase aviation to pupils and share our knowledge and insights. We’re passionate about inspiring young talent and proving that when you work for British Airways, the sky is never the limit.
Student Opportunities
Speedbird-Z
Students who use Speedbird Z are six times more likely to receive an apprenticeship offer. This award-winning platform offers live chats with British Airways' mentors, access to events, and learning modules to boost your employability and confidence.
Explore careers, complete tailored learning, apply for insight days and placements, and connect directly with our Emerging Talent team. Over 50,000 students have already signed up—join them today.
Golden Ticket
Each year, a select group of students who impress us at career events are invited to join our exclusive 10-month Golden Ticket employability programme. Participants gain access to behind-the-scenes tours, mentoring, coaching, skills workshops, and guest speaker sessions.
To connect with our team and be in with a chance of receiving a Golden Ticket, check out upcoming student events on Speedbird-Z.
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Student opportunities
Speedbird-Z
Students who use Speedbird Z are six times more likely to receive an apprenticeship offer. This award-winning platform offers live chats with British Airways' mentors, access to events, and learning modules to boost your employability and confidence.Explore careers, complete tailored learning, apply for insight days and placements, and connect directly with our Emerging Talent team. Over 50,000 students have already signed up—join them today.
Golden Ticket
Each year, a select group of students who impress us at career events are invited to join our exclusive 10-month Golden Ticket employability programme. Participants gain access to behind-the-scenes tours, mentoring, coaching, skills workshops, and guest speaker sessions.
To connect with our team and be in with a chance of receiving a Golden Ticket, check out upcoming student events on Speedbird-Z.
Your Flying Future Workshop
Considering a career in the flight deck? Then why not join us for an upcoming Your Flying Future workshop designed for for two age groups: 14-18 year olds and 19-25 year olds. Our workshops are hosted at our head office in Heathrow, and are run by our pilot community to inspire the next generation into a flying career.
Held four times a year, our interactive workshops are 3-hours long and provide access to pilot role models, realistic expectations on what it’s like to be a pilot, key skills needed to become a pilot and an insight into the recruitment process and more.
Register for our upcoming Your Flying Future Workshops below.
Meet the British Airways team
The Emerging Talent team at British Airways host regular virtual drop-in sessions where you can hop on to ask any questions you have. The drop-in session is open to all students, young people, teachers and parents and we’re here to help with any questions about work experience, recruitment, apprenticeships, graduate schemes and more.
Search for our upcoming drop-in sessions and join virtually.
Partnerships
At British Airways, we’re proud to partner with organisations that support diverse student communities and promote social mobility through education and employability programmes.
The King’s Trust
We co-deliver a 3-week “Get Into Aviation” programme with The King’s Trust, offering industry insight and hands-on experience. Half of all participants have gone on to apprenticeships at British Airways. Learn more
The Early Careers Foundation
We support their two-year mentoring programme for sixth-form students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, providing career coaching and guidance. Learn more
The Air League
As a long-term supporter, we contribute volunteers and funding to help young people access aviation scholarships and career opportunities. Learn more
Fantasy Wings
We support this 10-month programme aimed at increasing representation of ethnically diverse students and women in aviation, through workshops on pilot careers, engineering, and employability. Learn more
Bright Network
We participate in events run by this careers platform connecting students and graduates with top employers. This includes their flagship Internship Experience UK. Learn more
Work Experience
Insight Days
Insight Days are a perfect introduction to Work Experience at British Airways and can open your eyes to the different departments and roles that we offer.
To apply for an Insight Day, you must be:- Year 9/S3 or above
- Have a valid passport
- In full time education in school or college (not university).
We offer a range of insight days giving students a behind-the-scenes look at different parts of our business:
Engineering
Shadow our teams as they perform engine changes, structural repairs, and aircraft inspections to keep our flights safe and on time.
Flight Operations
Explore what it takes to become a pilot at our Global Learning Academy.
Airport Operations
Learn how our Cabin Crew, Customer Service, and Ground Operations teams deliver outstanding customer experiences.
Ground Operations
Take a closer look at airside operations at Heathrow in a small-group setting.
Business
Discover the wide range of roles across our head office and get involved in group tasks with our expert teams.
How to apply:
- Visit Speedbird-Z to view opportunities by clicking on the link below
- Go to 'Opportunities' and review our upcoming Insight Days
- Select the Insight Day got you and click 'Apply'
- This will take you to an application form which will need to be submitted before the closing date shown.
Please note that we receive high numbers of applications for our insight days. Two weeks before the event, the Work Experience team will be in touch with you to confirm your attendance and share more details.
Work Experience Placements
Work Experience Placements are an excellent next step after attending an Insight Day where you can further your knowledge in your chosen area of our business. Applications for the programme will open continuously throughout the school year and take place over different months throughout the year
To apply for a work experience placement, you must be:
- Year 10/S4 or above
- Have a valid passport
- In full time education in school or college (not university)
- Willing to travel to London for the days of the placement.
Recruitment Process
All applications for work experience placements have to complete pre-work on directly through our student platform Speedbird-Z.
- Step 1: Explore which area of British Airways you would like to gain an insight into (do your research and speak to our mentors)
- Step 2: Ensure you are signed up to Speedbird-Z and read through the ‘Introduction to…’ tasks for Engineering, Business or Airport Operations
- Step 3: Choose which area you would like to apply for. Complete the project the task sets you, and apply via the British Airways careers website link within the task
- Step 4: We will review all applications for eligibility, let you know via email if you have been successful and confirm next steps and dates of placement.
Please note, you can only apply for one programme, so choose the area you are most excited to learn more about. You cannot complete more than one work experience placement.
Top tip: We are looking for applications that show enthusiasm towards the industry!
Inspire Student Ambassador Programme - Your journey continues
Students who complete a British Airways Work Experience Placement are invited to apply for our Inspire Student Ambassador Programme. After a 3-day summer training course, ambassadors represent us at schools and events, gaining valuable skills and experience. Many have gone on to build successful careers at British Airways.
To apply, first complete a work experience placement. Our Emerging Talent team will contact eligible students each summer by email.
Teacher Zone
Partner Schools & Colleges
Our Inspire programme focuses on building diverse early career talent by partnering with selected UK schools and colleges. Through structured engagement from KS3 to KS5—including STEM workshops and employability sessions—we aim to raise aspirations, develop workplace skills, and improve access to aviation careers.
We also support schools and colleges nationwide. To learn more, see 'Invite us to your School' below.
Inspire Ambassadors
In 2025, we officially launched our British Airways Inspire Ambassador programme; this programme consists of passionate colleagues ready to engage and inspire students in STEM-related subjects and activities.As part of our commitment to supporting education and sparking interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, our ambassadors will be working closely with schools to deliver engaging and interactive 60-minute STEM sessions for Year 7 – Year 9 students.
These sessions are designed to:
- Highlight the exciting career opportunities within the aviation industry.
- Demonstrate the real-world application of STEM skills.
- Inspire the next generation of talent to consider STEM-related fields and apprenticeships.
How to Book a STEM Session:
If you’re interested in an Inspire Ambassador visiting your school, please contact inspire@ba.com with your preferred date and time, and the number of students you would be looking to run a session for.
Invite us to your school
Our Inspire volunteers visit schools and career fairs to deliver engaging talks and workshops focused on employability and careers in aviation.
Click below to send us an email to Invite us to your School with your event details, including date, time, location, student age group, number of attendees, and volunteer needs—we’ll take it from there.
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Apprentices Our full-time apprenticeships have been designed to give you the best possible start to your career in one of the most exciting industries you can work in. -
Graduates, Business Placements & 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.