Our apprenticeships offer a great route into a varied and exciting career with TUI. We have lots of opportunities whether you join us in our finance team, or at our Hangar in engineering with TUI Airline, we’ll offer you heaps of support and encouragement – and all the opportunity you need to take your future where you like. All you need to do is show us that you’re serious about working hard, being an important member of our team – doing whatever it takes to make our customers ‘Live Happy’.
Find out more about our programmes for 2023 – Aircraft Engineering , Finance and Human Resources Apprenticeship
Aircraft Engineering
As a fully qualified engineer, you’ll be involved in Heavy Maintenance of our fleet of 130 Boeing aircraft. TUI Airline operates Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 737-800 and 737 MAX, and if successful you’ll be qualified to work on some of the highest tech aircraft currently in operation. Your expertise will ensure the safe and reliable operation of our fleet, ensuring customers discover their smiles on their next TUI holiday.
Watch our video to find out more about the team.
Our People
JUSTIN ANDREWS, AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING APPRENTICE
“I aspire to be a B1 Licensed Engineer. But for now, I shadow others in their work and absorb as much information as I can from them in their years of experience. No two days are really the same, and that’s what I love.”
Grace Kennedy, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Apprentice
“I applied for the Apprenticeship Programme as I’ve always had an interest in Aviation and Engineering. My dad is an Aircraft Engineer so I’ve always been in Hangars, close up with aircraft and had the opportunity to see the engineering world. TUI offered an amazing apprenticeship so it seemed like the perfect way to get into my dream job.
My favourite part about my job is gaining the key knowledge I need to be able to become a Licensed Engineer. It has always been my dream job so learning this knowledge and being in a Hangar has to be my favourite part.
If you’re thinking of applying, go for it! I was scared as a 16 year old moving from the North down to Luton but it has been so worth it. Apprenticeships allow you to gain the knowledge as well as getting hands on experience and TUI have been so supportive throughout the entire process. The assessment day and interviews may be a scary thought but go for it, it’s worth it!”
Elliott Richards, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Apprentice
“After doing work experience at TUI’s Hangar when I was 15, I always knew that a career in Aircraft Engineering was the perfect one for me. I’ve always had a passion for aviation and found the job prospect of day to day hangar maintenance increasingly interesting.
As an apprentice, I’ve been able to shadow licensed mechanics whilst lending a hand wherever possible, trying to gain as much knowledge and understanding from them as I possibly can. My favourite task that I’ve carried out during my time here is the maintenance and repair of engine mounts on the Genx-1b engine on the 787-8 Dreamliner. This helped me to understand the intricacies of the hardware aboard the aircraft and gain important dexterous skills that I will use day to day as an engineer. My favourite part about my job is the people, not only do I get on with the other apprentices in my cohort but the wider group of people I’ve met so far have been welcoming and friendly. This has helped to build my confidence and work to the best of my ability knowing that I have support from the people around me.”
Joe Manning, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Apprentice
“I applied for the apprenticeship programme at TUI as it was clear this career path was the best route for me. This 4-year programme allows me to learn so much and put my knowledge of studying engineering at college into hands-on experience in an exciting and growing industry. My favourite part about the job so far is seeing everything that goes on inside Hangar 61 and knowing that in 4 years’ time I will qualify as a B-Licensed Engineer.
If you’re someone who generally enjoys fixing, making or maintaining ‘things’ and aviation excites you as it does to me, I would suggest you apply for an apprenticeship. When I walked into the hangar as part of the tour I knew that this was where I wanted to be.”
Connor Rhodes, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Apprentice
“I’m currently a first year apprentice studying in a specialist aviation college towards the theory of my qualification. Once finished here, I’ll be on the Hangar floor helping with the maintenance of the range of aircrafts in TUI’s fleet.
I’ve always had an interest and passion for aircrafts and personally loved the idea of knowing how to maintain one of these huge pieces of machinery, so I applied for the Aircraft Engineering Apprenticeship here at TUI! For anyone thinking of applying for this apprenticeship, I would say just do it! It’s the perfect apprenticeship for anyone with a passion for aviation and wants to learn about aircraft engineering in a hands-on practical way.”
Jerry Degnan, Head of Base Maintenance, TUI Airline
“I started as an apprentice at TUI in 1988 and I then worked on the Hangar floor and line stations as a mechanic. I got my A&C licenses in 1999 and was promoted to a Certifying Tradesperson. I worked permanent nightshifts as a Team Leader in 2002 before becoming Group Leader Nightshift in 2005. In 2008, I became Manager Services and then in 2011 the Outsourced Maintenance Manager. In 2016 I became Fleet Acquisition Manager and then Head of Base Maintenance in 2019.
In my role currently, the Base Maintenance team carry out heavy maintenance checks for all five of the TUI Airlines. We can also carry out minor and unscheduled checks and AOG (aircraft on ground) recovery to support the operation. We’re currently reviewing the use of drones and how they can be used in aircraft inspections in the future and we’re also reviewing the use of laptops and tablets to improve the efficiency for engineers working on aircraft rather than desktop PCs at fixed work stations.
It’s a really exciting time.”
Andrew Rowe, Hangar Manager
“I’m the Hangar Manager based in Luton, so I have responsibility amongst other things for Workshops and Powerplant support. I work with a Management Team that along with a workforce of 120 people delivers Heavy Maintenance for TUI Airline group aircraft. I also look after the Aircraft Engineering apprenticeship programme.
I started as an apprentice in 1983 with Britannia Airways (now TUI Airline). I’ve worked in Hangar and Line roles, and have been based at various locations around the UK and worked overseas in America and the Middle East. The variety is the best part of my role.
Even after 38 years, no two days are ever the same and I still get a buzz from working around aircraft. I also enjoy looking after the Aircraft Engineering apprenticeship programme and it has made me even more aware than ever that early talent is key to ensuring we can continue to deliver high quality maintenance to our ever-changing fleet of group aircraft.”
Finance
Our vision in Finance is to ‘Deliver a World Class Valued Service’. As part of our strategy to future-proof our business, we’re continuing with the ambition to build a modern finance function. Our focus is to drive best practice by staying close to the business and focusing on value creation. We achieve this through excellent business partnering, utlising data to drive decision making, ensuring a robust control framework and driving forward the automation of processes.
Our People
Lucy Lynam, Finance Business Partner
Jemma Poulton, Finance Apprentice, TUI Airline
“When I left Sixth Form, I was fortunate enough to get my place on the apprenticeship scheme. Whilst being an apprentice I’ve completed AAT Level 3 whilst working in an accounting role in the Tour Operator and most recently I’ve been working towards AAT Level 4 whilst in an accounting role in the Airline. I’ve worked with so many people during the apprenticeship and each person is invested in our development as the next. My colleagues at TUI have all had differing routes of progression to their current roles and their experiences are frequently shared throughout Finance. Outside of Finance I’ve worked with many colleagues from HR and Early Careers to Retail and Contact Centre.”
James Rowley, Finance Apprentice – Sales & Marketing
“I first joined TUI in September 2018. My first role was within the Cruise Accounting team which lasted 18 months. This was my first experience within Finance and being in an office environment. Alongside this, I was working to achieve my Level 2 and 3 AAT qualifications. Within my time at TUI, the most notable moment was transitioning from my Accounting role to my Commercial role as this was very different to a traditional accounting role. However, I was excited to be a part of Commercial Finance as it meant I would learn more about the business and how it operates. I chose TUI because of the amount support I get within the company. The support from managers and lecturers has been the key to me being happy within the company. I can always rely on someone to help me if I’m struggling with work or an upcoming exam which motivates me to become even better.”
Human Resources
Our HR team is a really dynamic place to be. You’ll be working directly helping us to reach our goal of being the best-loved holiday company to work for, with inclusivity at its core and supporting our colleagues to live happy. You’ll experience and deliver in rotational HR roles that all aim to deliver a high-quality HR service to our Colleagues and Line Managers. Within each rotation, you’ll be working as part of a HR team developing your expertise in various HR specialisms.
Our People
Gemma Saunders, Head of People Services and Reward
Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship
The Chartered Management Degree Programme is a unique opportunity to study towards a management degree whilst gaining four years’ worth of experience across four different roles within our business all without the student debt. We’ve partnered with the University of Hertfordshire to develop a unique and innovative degree apprenticeship that allows you to explore our business to help you decide your future career path and allows us to develop our future leaders. Our programme is designed to ‘bring to life’ the theoretical side of the degree through storytelling from our very own senior leaders.
Watch the video to find out more about the Chartered Management Degree Programme and meet some of our current apprentices below to see if this is right for you.
Please note that we’re not running this programme for 2023, but hope to run it again in future years.
Julie Tindale, HR Director TUI UK&I
Rebecca Wakelin, Early Talent & Apprenticeship Manager
Our People
Marcus Blackmore, Mobile Merchandising Executive
“Before joining TUI, I had been studying towards achieving my A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths as well as considering future careers. At the time, I was very unaware of what I wanted to do when I was older. In addition to applying to university I decided to explore other opportunities that were available to me and that’s when I discovered the TUI Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship.
Since joining TUI, I’ve met some incredible, talented and inspiring colleagues within the business. Initially, I was anxious when joining TUI that everyone would be a lot older than me however this was not the case. Due to the large variety of early talent/graduate schemes within TUI means there is a whole spectrum of colleagues from different ages and cultures.”
Charlotte French, Content Distribution Executive
“I completed my A Levels and didn’t have a clue what I wanted my next steps to be. I applied for university as the rest of my peers were doing so but knew that I didn’t really want to be a full-time student. I had received my university offer but decided to defer my place for one year to allow me time to work out what I really wanted.
In that year, I came across the TUI Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship Programme and instantly knew that this is where I needed to be. I was accepted onto the programme and since joining, I’ve gained so much knowledge and experience of different sides to the business.
TUI has a really fun culture where there is always something exciting happening that you can get involved in. TUI also has some really good benefits, including great holidays, which really makes you feel valued as an employee.”
Nathan Ruff, Engagement and Internal Communications Executive
“I joined TUI straight after completing my A Levels in 2018. Going from an academic environment to a work one was a really big change for me, and one I had to quickly adapt to. Each role has given me great experience and a wide range of opportunities to help me both with my future prospects and my degree that I’m studying towards.
I’m currently based at Wigmore House in Luton, but since the pandemic, TUI has offered great flexibility in how and where we decide to work, even if that should that be at home. I currently do three days a week working at home and a couple of days in the office, but I have the flexibility to change that week-by-week. I also commute about an hour to get into the office, but with the right radio station on that flies by! Don’t be nervous about applying or joining the business.”