Graduates fly high with aviation-engineering degree

Article Type: Notes and news From: Industrial and Commercial Training, Volume 45, Issue 2

British Airways Engineering, which maintains, repairs and overhauls aircraft,has teamed up with the University of Glamorgan to offer a degree in aircraft-maintenance engineering.

The partnership will see University of Glamorgan students receive a BSc in aircraft-maintenance engineering, having also completed the industry-standard EASA Part 66 training under the British Airways certification licence.

The initiative, accredited by the Civil Aviation Authority, also provides British Airways Engineering employees with the opportunity to study academic modules from the University of Glamorgan at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Bill Kelly, general manager, heavy maintenance, at British Airways Engineering,commented: “British Airways Engineering employs more than 1,400 people across three sites in south Wales. This partnership will ensure that we continue to produce world-class engineers, ready to take on the challenge of maintaining our fleet as well as those of our commercial customers.”

“This is an exciting time for airlines, with next-generation aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 presenting new challenges for our engineers. Partnering the University of Glamorgan will enable us to develop the skills necessary to take our business forward.”

Professor Julie Lydon, vice-chancellor and chief executive of the University of Glamorgan, said: “This initiative is a win-win-win for British Airways Engineering, the university and the graduates. The partnership with British Airways Engineering is sure to give them a head start in their careers.”

Meanwhile, British Airways and Line Communications have won a silver award for best leadership-development program at the 2012 Brandon Hall Excellence in Talent Management awards.

The blended-learning program, named Outstanding Leaders, was designed and delivered by Line, together with program partner ORConsulting. It forms part of the British Airways behaviors for success program and comprises a two-day workshop, video scenarios, online and offline activities, printed materials,social networking, blogs and support tools.

Evaluation of the program has revealed that it transfers learning quickly, has helped to change practice in the organization and has had significant impact on the organization. In addition, the program has been cost-effective –saving classroom-training days and replacing them with online learning that can be used throughout the leader’s career.

All the learning modules, videos and online challenges have been redesigned for iPad delivery for the convenience of cabin crew who are frequently on-the-move. These are made available via the BA internal “app” store.