The most-loved travel company and a favourite employer

When you are a Virgin brand, people expect more of you. The organisation believes that "the starting point must be demanding more of ourselves, so that we can improve every day". By adopting a growth mindset, Virgin Atlantic continues to develop vital skills for the future and connects its people with the true spirit of the Virgin brand: innovation, passion, and positivity.

To support its competitive position, the organisation offers its people a range of professional apprenticeship programmes to align skills development with overall business strategy. This ensures that the right learning intervention reaches the right people and drives the overall ambition of the organisation.

"The idea of lifelong learning, being curious, and growing is the foundation of everything we do at Virgin Atlantic, because it helps us make the best possible decisions. And according to our own research, we found that apprentices are 2 times more likely to change roles internally or get a promotion due to the intensity and relevance of the learning."

Abbie Simmonds, Head of Learning, Virgin Atlantic

Data-literate professionals in all areas and levels

Virgin Atlantic is using professional apprenticeship programmes to complement its people-centric business approach. The apprenticeship team promotes professional development to support the career progression of every employee, and encourages internal mobility to ensure a talent pipeline.

"Until I did the course, I don't think I realised how relevant data is to everything. Before I thought 'data is just zeros and ones'. The apprenticeship really opened my eyes."

Helen Berry, Executive Assistant at Virgin Atlantic

Cambridge Spark provides tripartite support with expert teachers imparting new knowledge, technical mentors who make learning more manageable with clear guidance on portfolio work, assessments, and technical concepts, and trained coaches who provide reassurance, practical advice, and constructive feedback.

Students value the structured approach so highly that they have awarded Cambridge Spark an NPS score of 75.

"Cambridge Spark really 'get' what we do. They got to know our culture, how we work in different areas, and showed a genuine interest in what we do to make the learning meaningful. In addition, they got to know our people and offered coaching and technical support, which the apprentices report helped them complete the training and activate the learning in their role."

Suzi George, Apprenticeships and Skills Manager, Virgin Atlantic

"Virgin Atlantic encourages everyone to be the best versions of themselves and apprenticeships are an excellent way to do that. I have learnt so many fundamental skills about how to work with data. And the course has helped me solve so many problems, as well as automating manual tasks so that I can focus my time and energy on other things.

Personally, it has given me more confidence. And I was nominated for apprentice of the year, which highly flattered and surprised me. Also, I recently got a promotion because I have been able to demonstrate that I can take on more responsibilities."

Ettie Bashford, Senior Health Officer, Virgin Atlantic

Apprenticeships are central to business success

Virgin Atlantic's apprenticeship programme has gone from strength to strength. After an initial cohort of 4 students in the first year, this year the apprenticeship team will double the number of students from the last three years combined on Cambridge Spark programmes. Furthermore, it intends to formalise the structure of its apprenticeships to create a specialised Data and AI Academy. This would include the addition of more programmes, including the AI Champion Apprenticeship (L3). This programme is tool-agnostic and helps build broader AI capabilities, including implementation strategies, stakeholder management, feedback collection techniques, and end-user support. This apprenticeship is matches to support the organisation's internal AI Champions Network, who are tasked with the successful deployment of Microsoft Copilot.

"Today, Virgin Atlantic has a portfolio of 45 programmes across 3 levels, spanning 4 areas: data and tech, management and leadership, people programmes, and specialisms. At any one time, there are 120 apprentices. And about 100 of those apprentices are upskilling or reskilling, so we are offering university-level programmes to all employees, not just those fresh out of university."

Abbie Simmonds, Head of Learning, Virgin Atlantic