Virgin Atlantic has become the first airline to launch a dedicated AI apprenticeship program, aiming to foster digital fluency and future-proof its workforce.
In partnership with education technology company Cambridge Spark, the airline has introduced the AI Champion Apprenticeship, targeting non-technical employees across departments including engineering, operations, finance, and HR. The initiative is designed to equip staff with practical skills in AI usage, helping them adopt emerging technologies in day-to-day operations.
The program operates on a mentor-led model, where participants receive hands-on guidance to ensure that AI concepts are directly applied to real workplace scenarios. “This means employees get a mentor who helps them transfer AI learnings into work,” said Raoul-Gabriel Urma, founder and CEO of Cambridge Spark, in an interview with AI Business. “So knowledge can be applied and strengthened on the job.”
According to Cambridge Spark, the move addresses a broader industry lag in AI adoption, with many organizations struggling to integrate AI beyond technical teams. Virgin Atlantic hopes the program will accelerate its ongoing digital transformation, following its early integration of Microsoft Copilot into internal systems.
Beck Woodmansee, Virgin Atlantic’s Chief People Officer, emphasized the broader strategic value: “These apprentices will play a vital role in helping our teams explore and embrace the benefits of AI in their day-to-day work. It’s part of our wider strategy to empower our people with the tools and skills they need to thrive in a digital world.”
This initiative expands the airline’s broader apprenticeship offering, which already includes tracks in data science, software development, engineering, and sustainability.
Cambridge Spark has previously worked with clients including Pearson, University College London, and Oxfordshire County Council, reflecting growing cross-sector interest in AI literacy. “No industry is untouched by AI,” Urma noted. “In the future, we want the program to empower as many people and workforces with AI skills as possible.”
Source:
- Scarlett Evans, AI Business. Original Article
- Cambridge Spark press release
- Virgin Atlantic corporate announcements
