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Four airport work experience placements you can apply for
Think you’ve got what it takes to become a pilot? Or that you’d make an excellent flight attendant? Work experience is the perfect way to make sure working for an airline or an airport is the right career path for you. You’ll also gain some really valuable transferable skills and contacts.
Here are four airline and airport work experience placements you can apply for right now…
1. Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport runs a week-long work experience scheme six times a year. You’ll see firsthand how one of the world’s busiest airports is run (210,000 people move through Heathrow every day – it’s a big part of the British economy).
You’ll take part in a range of different activities, meeting staff who work in various departments across the airport – including engineers, customer service teams, security pros and baggage staff. You’ll get a tour of both ‘landside’ and ‘airside’ operations, and hear about how Heathrow is planning to grow in future.
There’s stiff competition for places on this programme; the airport is looking for ambitious and enthusiastic applicants. It’s open to students in years 10 to 13. You’ll need to submit your CV with a cover letter which covers why you want the work experience and shows how motivated you are.
2. British Airways
British Airways run a range of five-day work experience placements at airports across the country. The company is looking for enthusiastic and highly motivated students who love aviation. You’ll gain an insight into the aviation sector as well as British Airways.
There are six types of placement at BA:
- Customer service, pilots and cabin crew at Heathrow
- Operations and engineering at Heathrow
- Corporate and support functions at head office
- Customer and engineering at Gatwick
- Engineering in Glasgow
- Engineering in Cardiff.
Have a look at the location and type that suits you.
3. London City Airport
London City Airport has a wide range of work experience placements available. You could try you hand at finance, private jets, airfield operations, fire service, IT, legal tax and duty free, retail, customer service, or ramp safety. You’ll develop skills and gain insight into the different career areas at the airport.
The work experience is open to students aged over 16 who live in specific London boroughs – check out the website for more info.
4. Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Airport runs a work experience programme for pupils who attend specific schools in the local area. You’ll be observing different areas of the airport to see how they’re run, and may also be assigned projects such as information gathering and working as part of the operational teams. You’ll see what different roles are available at the airport, as well as build your transferable skills.
To be eligible, you have to be between 15 and 17 years old and have a valid passport. The airport accepts two students per month during term time.
