Virgin Atlantic recruitment?
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According to this link, two weeks. Virgin Atlantic launches first airline pilot career programme | Pilot Career News
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Can anyone confirm the amount of cadets they are looking to recruit in this intake? I've seen a few different figures (6...12...50...) floating around here and the web so would be good to hear a definitive.
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If one is unsuccessful in applying for this Virgin MPL would I be right in thinking that you wouldn't then be able to reapply to CTC for another 6 months or so?
If this is the case then could this potentially prevent you from applying to the BA FPP if it opens up early in 2015?
If this is the case then could this potentially prevent you from applying to the BA FPP if it opens up early in 2015?
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Website crashed due to 'overwhelming' response
From the VA website:
"We know that Virgin Atlantic is a great place to work but the number of applications for our new pilot cadet scheme has been overwhelming. So much so that the website hosted by CTC, the company who are providing the training, has struggled to cope with demand."
It makes me wonder why they set the requirements so low: only 5 GCSEs with Cs in Maths, English and Science, when the Easyjet MPL, Flybe MPL, Cityflyer MPL, Aer Lingus cadet scheme and BA FPP all require A Levels.
I'm not saying that all the candidates called for interview will have only 5 GCSEs, I'm just pointing out they could have cut down on a lot of applications.
The other thing that strikes me as strange is how widely publicised this scheme is... it's all over the news. Surely any prospective future A330 F/O worth his salt would already be in touch with the current cadet recruitment scene and be able to make his way to the CTC website without the BBC, national newspapers and radio telling him to do so?
Or perhaps this is one of those schemes not aimed at those who have ever had the thrill of flight in a PA28 or C150, know what a swept wing is or how a jet engine works... but for someone who couldn't find anything to do with their degree or got bored of accounting. Half of my friends are applying and most of them wouldn't know what an A330 was if it hit them in the face.
Maybe I'm just bitter because it know that there are going to be thousands and thousands of applicants, possibly in the tens, and I know I don't stand a snowballs chance in hell. Nevertheless CTC will still pinch my hard earned £250 if I'm lucky enough to be called down to Dibden.
"We know that Virgin Atlantic is a great place to work but the number of applications for our new pilot cadet scheme has been overwhelming. So much so that the website hosted by CTC, the company who are providing the training, has struggled to cope with demand."
It makes me wonder why they set the requirements so low: only 5 GCSEs with Cs in Maths, English and Science, when the Easyjet MPL, Flybe MPL, Cityflyer MPL, Aer Lingus cadet scheme and BA FPP all require A Levels.
I'm not saying that all the candidates called for interview will have only 5 GCSEs, I'm just pointing out they could have cut down on a lot of applications.
The other thing that strikes me as strange is how widely publicised this scheme is... it's all over the news. Surely any prospective future A330 F/O worth his salt would already be in touch with the current cadet recruitment scene and be able to make his way to the CTC website without the BBC, national newspapers and radio telling him to do so?
Or perhaps this is one of those schemes not aimed at those who have ever had the thrill of flight in a PA28 or C150, know what a swept wing is or how a jet engine works... but for someone who couldn't find anything to do with their degree or got bored of accounting. Half of my friends are applying and most of them wouldn't know what an A330 was if it hit them in the face.
Maybe I'm just bitter because it know that there are going to be thousands and thousands of applicants, possibly in the tens, and I know I don't stand a snowballs chance in hell. Nevertheless CTC will still pinch my hard earned £250 if I'm lucky enough to be called down to Dibden.
Last edited by newb1112; 30th Oct 2014 at 21:18.
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a quote from the Head of Training Standards, Virgin Atlantic
You may find it answers some of your queries
You may find it answers some of your queries
Thank you for your comments. I understand that this can me an emotive subject but I can assure you that this is not pilots on the cheap as Virgin are going to invest in their development with us.
A lot of work has gone on over the last 18 months to be at a stage to launch and I am very excited and proud to be part of it.
To just put minds at rest about future DEP recruitment please find below 2 points:
1/ We envisage future recruitment will continue to include significant numbers of experienced pilots via our existing 3,000 hr application routes. With almost half of our pilot workforce expected to retire within the next 15 years, there will be opportunity via both the cadet route and via the conventional experienced pilot recruitment route, and we’re also looking in the longer-term to offer an intermediate programme between the two.
2/ First pilots from the Future Pilot programme are expected to commence line flying with us in 2017. We have recently updated the 10 candidates in our pilot hold pool that we do not expect to undertake recruitment in 2015 (although there will be some internal command promotions) as a result of the change in mix of our route network between flights requiring two and three pilot complements. However, we expect that we will be recruiting in early 2016 – ahead of the first pilots from our Future Pilot programme arriving – and will afford priority at that time to those candidates currently in our hold pool. It’s also likely that we’ll invite further external applications from pilots meeting our criteria of 3,000 hrs including 1,000 hrs on a commercial jet transport in excess of 15 tonnes MTOW
Thank you
Nathan
Training Standards Manager
Virgin Atlantic
A lot of work has gone on over the last 18 months to be at a stage to launch and I am very excited and proud to be part of it.
To just put minds at rest about future DEP recruitment please find below 2 points:
1/ We envisage future recruitment will continue to include significant numbers of experienced pilots via our existing 3,000 hr application routes. With almost half of our pilot workforce expected to retire within the next 15 years, there will be opportunity via both the cadet route and via the conventional experienced pilot recruitment route, and we’re also looking in the longer-term to offer an intermediate programme between the two.
2/ First pilots from the Future Pilot programme are expected to commence line flying with us in 2017. We have recently updated the 10 candidates in our pilot hold pool that we do not expect to undertake recruitment in 2015 (although there will be some internal command promotions) as a result of the change in mix of our route network between flights requiring two and three pilot complements. However, we expect that we will be recruiting in early 2016 – ahead of the first pilots from our Future Pilot programme arriving – and will afford priority at that time to those candidates currently in our hold pool. It’s also likely that we’ll invite further external applications from pilots meeting our criteria of 3,000 hrs including 1,000 hrs on a commercial jet transport in excess of 15 tonnes MTOW
Thank you
Nathan
Training Standards Manager
Virgin Atlantic
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I think its safe to say the ones who are successful will be of similar profile to BA's cadets, regardless of the minimum educational requirement. So anyone who has just the bare minimum or your bog standard A level's don't think you will be flying a A330 anytime soon.
Its a very clever marketing ploy by Virgin, by putting the requirements so low they have attracted a lot of media attention which is free publicity. The negative is that they have had every Tom Dick and Harry applying for it thus crashing the website, but still Branson never misses a trick, it's great publicity.
Its a very clever marketing ploy by Virgin, by putting the requirements so low they have attracted a lot of media attention which is free publicity. The negative is that they have had every Tom Dick and Harry applying for it thus crashing the website, but still Branson never misses a trick, it's great publicity.
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Half of my friends are applying and most of them wouldn't know what an A330 was if it hit them in the face.
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2/ First pilots from the Future Pilot programme are expected to commence line flying with us in 2017.
For a company that values loyalty so much, why aren't they giving their own staff who work tirelessly in non-flying jobs but have frozen ATPLs a look in ? I know many cabin crew and ground staff who aren't happy about this.
Don't believe the spin. Pilots on the cheap.
Last edited by flying apprentice; 30th Oct 2014 at 22:24. Reason: Pressed submit too early.
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From what I can see, CTC runs the UK cadet pilot scene, they have easyjet, BA, monarch, Qatar airways, FlyBe and now Virgin as well as many others all wrapped up. Is this a good thing ? I don't know, but I'd be worried if I was in OAA.
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BAe 146, even the BA scheme is not as cut throat as you may think...
I convinced a friend of mine to apply the very first time around in 2011, he couldn't decide on a career. He knew bugger all about the industry and BA, no degree and BBC at A-level, the bare minimum.
He did extremely well on the aptitude tests, worked his butt off learning about BA and the industry for the interviews and group tasks, and he has probably grown to love aviation even more than I do...
Oh, he also just started on line on the A320 out of LHR, and now has the job which I so desperately want...Funny world
I will admit, from what I have heard he is a rare example of one getting through with such qualifications, but it's possible if you put the work in and exude the passion.
I convinced a friend of mine to apply the very first time around in 2011, he couldn't decide on a career. He knew bugger all about the industry and BA, no degree and BBC at A-level, the bare minimum.
He did extremely well on the aptitude tests, worked his butt off learning about BA and the industry for the interviews and group tasks, and he has probably grown to love aviation even more than I do...
Oh, he also just started on line on the A320 out of LHR, and now has the job which I so desperately want...Funny world
I will admit, from what I have heard he is a rare example of one getting through with such qualifications, but it's possible if you put the work in and exude the passion.
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Ohhhh dear, I bet some jobs have been lost Oxford, how could they let this one slip through the net
The cadets could have stayed with him to keep costs down !
Last edited by flying apprentice; 30th Oct 2014 at 22:41. Reason: Must learn to stop pressing buttons too early!
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Ohhhh dear, I bet some jobs have been lost Oxford, how could they let this one slip through the net