IT Graduate Programme 2012 British Airways

IT within British Airways is about technology and information across our business. It’s about keeping everyone up to speed. It’s about being at the cutting-edge. It affects everything we do – and so will you.

Our IT Department teams support our global business and are centred in Heathrow and Newcastle. This is where you’ll be based, though you’ll work closely with colleagues at other locations too.

On this 18-month programme, you’ll have placements with a cross-section of our IT teams and gain an overview of what we do. You’ll be given a solid grounding in the technologies and systems that keep everything running smoothly. You’ll also get involved in hands-on programming, coding, testing and design concepts, through to live implementation. Finally, you’ll work with our commercial clients to understand their business issues and identify innovative solutions that best meet their needs. You’ll be coached by mentors and have relevant training and developmental support, so you are far from alone whilst working on these projects.

It takes a particular blend of enthusiasm, skills and commitment to succeed – everything else you can learn. You’ll need a 2:1 degree in any discipline and a demonstrable interest in both IT and the airline industry, and in making IT your career. This includes undergraduates who expect to graduate with at least a 2:1 degree before July 2012. You must be available to start the programme in July 2012.

You’ll need to take responsibility for your own work and development as your training progresses. A logical thinker, with strong analytical, problem-solving and clear communication skills, you should be flexible, open-minded, inquisitive and aware of the business issues behind each project.

After the programme you’ll join us as an Infrastructure Engineer or a Software Engineer within the team that best suits your skills and our business needs. That will see you specify, deliver and support IT systems in a structured environment. You’ll look at business requirements and problems, design and develop solutions and ensure that performance is monitored and maintained. Better still, you’ll be developing a career to be proud of.

If you have already tried computer programming, you will have a fair idea of whether a technical IT career is for you. If you have not yet had an opportunity, here is a little taster to help you see what programming is like.

IT Graduate Programme 2012
Ref: UKLHW2227
Region: UK
Location: UK

Job Description
Competitive salary and attractive benefits package

Graduates like you have made such a difference to our business, it’s no wonder we’re looking for more. People of your high calibre are helping drive an organisation that carries over 32 million customers to 145 destinations around the world in around 230 aircraft. In fact, graduates play a key role in the transition of the company.

If you have not already done so, please visit our Graduate Careers microsite for further information: www.britishairwaysgraduates.com

The IT graduate programme is aimed at developing our IT Professionals of the future. It is an 18-month entry-level Programme, which will train and develop graduates that have both an interest in and an aptitude for a career in IT. At the end of the Programme individuals will be equipped to fulfil their potential as IT Professionals within BA’s IT Department and in doing so get to experience an extraordinary breadth and depth of opportunities that IT departments in most other companies are unable to provide. To apply please complete all sections of the online application form, and answer the application questions.

The Programme

• The Programme will start in July 2012 and, following a short induction period, last for 18 months. This will include varied work placements, that provide a combination of classroom training, mentoring and on-the-job development.
• Throughout the placements, individuals will be involved in ‘real’ projects and receive ongoing coaching and support from experienced people. They will also work with their manager to set development plans against which they will regularly review their progress. Progress against these development plans will drive attractive salary progression, spread across the 18 months.
• There will be opportunities for Programme members to meet with each other to share learning and ideas and, where appropriate, to participate in joint classroom training sessions.
• At the end of the 18-month Programme, individuals will be placed into a role in one of our IT Department teams, the specific role to be determined at the time and dependent on the business priorities of the company and the individual’s own particular skills and aspirations.
• This is a fantastic opportunity for graduates with a genuine interest in IT and in forging a long-term career as an IT Professional. It probably isn’t suitable, however, for those wishing to pursue a career in general management or other specific business functions, nor for those who don’t have their hearts set on a future as an IT Professional.

Principal Accountabilities

• A minimum of a 2:1 degree in any discipline (ideally IT or IT-related).
• Available for programme start date of July 2012
• A demonstrable interest in IT and the opportunities it affords
• A genuine and considered desire to have a career as an IT Professional
• Strong analytical and problem solving capabilities
• The ability to work well with others and to communicate ideas clearly
• Must have the right to live and work full-time in the UK indefinitely without sponsorship from British Airways OR be able to provide evidence that you can achieve this independently
• Willingness to travel frequently within the UK (primarily to Newcastle-upon-Tyne & Heathrow)

The Individual

You as a person

• There are a number of capabilities and qualities that are required for an individual to be successful on the Programme and thereafter as an IT Professional in British Airways.
• The key elements that we will be looking for will be:

Motivation

• Interest in IT with a strong desire to work as an IT Professional
• Motivation to work for BA

Thinking Range

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• A logical approach with attention to detail
• An open-minded and inquisitive approach with ability to think creatively

Business Awareness

• An understanding of the BA business and its challenges
• A grasp of the links between technology and how it drives/supports a business such as BA in achieving its goals

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Ability to articulate information clearly in written and spoken English
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of people
• Ability to influence and challenge others constructively

Self Management and Team Working

• Organised approach and ability to prioritise work effectively
• Proactivity · Adaptability in a changing environment
• A valuing of others and the contribution that they make
• Ability to work productively with others to achieve an end result

Application Process
To apply, you will need to successfully complete a series of online questions. These questions form part of the selection process and your responses will be assessed. This includes the following questions (please note the system has a time-out security setting so we advise you prepare these offline before submitting).

• Please give the following details below. Please only give details of your 2:1 undergraduate degree (no other qualifications).

1. What is your university and programme of study?
2. Is your 2:1 achieved or predicted?
3. Is this a UK 2:1 undergraduate degree or will you provide a NARIC verified 'statement of comparability'?

• Describe what interests you about the British Airways’ IT graduate programme and why you have applied for it? (max 300 words)
• As a recently appointed IT graduate, you have been asked to be involved with the design of a new application which cabin crew will use on BA issued mobile devices whilst in flight. The application is intended to enhance customer service onboard, as cabin crew will have direct access to passenger, operational and destination information. Data will be cached on the device while the aircraft is in the air and uploaded/downloaded on the ground. It will receive data from bookings systems and BA customer database as well as from third party websites. What factors and challenges would you consider when thinking of the design? (max 300 words)
• The IT graduate campaigns will be based at either LHR or NCL locations. Whilst not guaranteed, do you have a preference for working in either NCL or LHR? Answers NCL or LHR or No preference.

If successful at the application stage you will then be invited to take part in further assessments, which will include online psychometric, numerical & personality tests, a telephone interview and an assessment day at The Rivers, near Heathrow Airport. The assessment day will include a group problem solving discussion, an interview and work related exercise/presentation and validation of your online testing scores.

Please note the following dates where you may be invited for specific times/appointments:

• Telephone Interviews January – February 2012
• Final Assessment February – March 2012

Once assessments have been completed, we will make offers subject to references, confirmation of qualifications and medical requirements. The programme will start on Monday 23rd July 2012.

We will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and the campaign will close as soon as we have found suitable candidates. Therefore we encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity to avoid any disappointment.

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