Virgin Atlantic is marking National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2026 with an engaging programme of events that bring apprenticeships to life across aviation, engineering and future skills.
Running from Monday 9th February to Sunday 15th February, NAW 2026 marks its 19th year and highlights the role apprenticeships play in developing early-career talent. This year’s theme, ‘Fuelling your skills. Powering your future’, reflects Virgin Atlantic’s focus on building accessible pathways into aviation.
On Thursday 12th February, Virgin Atlantic will host Early Careers – an opportunity for, students from Space Studio West, a local partner school, to attend the Heathrow engineering hangar for an immersive, behind-the-scenes experience. During the visit, students will meet Virgin Atlantic’s engineering team, explore real apprenticeship career pathways, and take part in an exclusive guided hangar tour where students will see aircraft maintenance in action and the teams and technologies behind day-to-day operations. The experience is designed to spark curiosity, build confidence and inspire the next generation of engineering talent by bringing the world of aircraft maintenance and operations to life.
The airline will continue its activity on Friday 13th February with two further events aimed at inspiring future talent. To start the day, our charity partners at STEM Learning will co-host a national virtual panel for schools and teachers across the UK, featuring Virgin Atlantic colleagues who all began their careers as apprentices and have since progressed into roles across the business. Hosted by Mark Cox, Head of Aircraft Maintenance at Virgin Atlantic, the panel will include Tom Minto (Station Manager), Sophie Kelly (Engineer – Technical Operations), and Engineering Technicians Dhru Bhudia and Omer Cinar, offering first-hand insight into how apprenticeships can lead to long-term careers at Virgin Atlantic.
Later that day, Virgin Atlantic will open its doors at the CAE training centre for its flagship ‘Most Loved Apprenticeships event’ – a family-friendly showcase open to colleagues and up to two guests aged 13 and above. Officially opened by Virgin Atlantic’s CEO, Corneel Koster, the immersive experience will give young people and their families the chance to explore real “skills for life” in action. Guests will step inside the airline’s state-of-the-art CAE centre, exploring everything from flight simulators and engineering demonstrations to the uniforms department, alongside hands-on activities showcasing aircraft engineering, cabin crew safety skills, and the future of AI and technology at Virgin Atlantic.
Becky Woodmansee, Chief People Officer at Virgin Atlantic, commented:
“National Apprenticeship Week shines a light on the powerful role apprenticeships play in shaping the future of our industry. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and by opening our doors to families, schools and our teams, we’re showcasing the incredible career opportunities available at Virgin Atlantic. We’re proud to inspire the next generation to see aviation as a place where they can learn, grow and build a rewarding career.”
These activities reinforce Virgin Atlantic’s belief that apprenticeships play a vital role in building a diverse, skilled and future-ready workforce – offering meaningful alternatives to traditional academic routes. The airline currently supports more than 150 active apprenticeships across 45 programmes, spanning engineering, aviation operations and data and AI. 80% of Virgin Atlantic’s Engineering Leadership Team began their careers as apprentices or graduates, and apprenticeship intakes now reflect a 50/50 gender split, highlighting the impact on long-term progression and diversity.
