Virgin Atlantic (VS/VIR) has become the first airline to launch an ‘AI Champion’ apprenticeship program in partnership with digital skills education providers, Cambridge Spark.
The apprenticeship aims to address sluggish AI adoption among enterprise employees globally and boost productivity & AI tool adoption by increasing AI fluency in non-technical professionals.
Building on Virgin Atlantic’s early adoption of Microsoft Copilot, the apprenticeship includes programs across Data, Software Development, Sustainability and Engineering. With the initiative, Virgin Atlantic is establishing a strong foundation for continued innovation and operational excellence.
Becky Woodmansee, Chief People Officer at Virgin Atlantic, commented: “Virgin Atlantic has always been a people-first, purpose-led organisation, driven by the belief that everyone can take on the world and we’re proud to be the first airline to invest in AI Champions through this groundbreaking program. These apprentices will play a vital role in helping our teams explore and embrace the benefits of AI in their day-to-day work, unlocking new levels of productivity and creativity. It’s part of our wider strategy to empower our people with the tools and skills they need to thrive in a digital world.”
Dr. Raoul-Gabriel Urma, Founder and Group CEO of Cambridge Spark, added: “We’re thrilled to support Virgin Atlantic as the first airline to adopt the AI Champion apprenticeship. Their commitment to developing practical AI capability across the organisation sets a powerful example for the wider industry. By equipping their people to lead the way in AI adoption, Virgin Atlantic is creating a strong foundation for digital transformation that delivers real business impact.