Virgin Australia – Graduate Programs for 2012

At Virgin Australia we are again changing the game in the airline industry in Australia. In doing so we rely on the combined skills and efforts of our existing and future team members to build the success of our airline. The sheer diversity of what we do and the excitement and challenge of the airline industry creates numerous opportunities for a rewarding and challenging start to your career.

There are many graduate programs around, but none as unique as ours. We recognise that the success of our company depends upon the service we offer and the care and concern we show our guests and people. We are committed to offering our graduates a one-of-a-kind, challenging and exciting experience; in an environment where their contribution and ideas are welcomed. Our Graduate Programs exist to help graduate students realise their potential through experience.

Our Graduate Programs

At Virgin Australia we are run two programs: a specialist program in either IT or Finance, and a generalist program in an Operational area, or within our Corporate and Commercial departments. Within these programs our graduates spend time participating in rotations within their area of interest, and as well as undertaking a guest-facing placement.

The purpose of the program is to give graduate students exposure to a broad spectrum of the business. Providing opportunities to network, understand interrelationships and develop skills and knowledge to give them a solid foundation as a future leader of Virgin Australia. The success of the program is measured on their placement into an area of interest following the program, ongoing retention and succession into a leadership role.

Generalist Program

There are two generalist programs, a program within Corporate and Commercial and a program within Operations.

Corporate and Commercial

Our grads join a two-year program involving four rotations of five months (approximately) designed to give them exposure to key departments within our Corporate and Commercial business areas. Additionally, they will complete a four-month guest-facing rotation, working within an operational area.

To be considered for this program you will have completed, or will complete in 2011, a general discipline degree such as Business, Commerce, Management, Tourism Management, Aviation Management, Human Resources or similar.

Operations

Our grads join a two-year program involving four rotations of five months (approximately) designed to give them exposure to key departments within the business. Additionally, they will complete a four-month guest facing rotation, working within an operational area.

To be considered for this program you will have completed, or will complete in 2011, an Engineering, Aviation Management, Operations Management or similar degree.

Specialist Program

We have two specialist programs, one within IT and one within Finance.

Finance

Our grads join a two-year program involving four rotations of five months (approximately) designed to give them exposure to key departments within the business. These rotations exposure grads to a number of key departments within the Finance group, including Financial Management, Tax and Treasury. Through these rotations they will gain an understanding of how the different departments provide financial support to the broader business. Grads will also commence their CPA or CA and will receive support of financial assistance, study leave and company resources to complete this valuable qualification. Additionally, they will also complete a four-month guest-facing rotation, working within an operational area.

To be considered for this program you will have completed, or will complete in 2011, a degree with an accounting major. We are also considering students who wish to finish their final year part-time.

Information Technology

Our grads join a two-year program involving four rotations of five months (approximately) designed to give them exposure to key IT departments within the business. These rotations give grads exposure to a number of key areas within the IT group, including IT Operations and IT Delivery. Through these rotations they will gain an understanding of how the different departments provide IT support to the broader business. Additionally, they will complete a four-month guest-facing rotation, working within an operational area.

To be considered for this program you will have completed, or will complete in 2011, an IT degree.

Program Elements

As well as rotations within specific business areas of interest, our Graduate Programs also includes:

Guest-facing Rotation

All programs include a guest-facing rotation. The purpose of the rotation is to understand the vital role that guests play in our business.

The objectives of this rotation include:

• To fully immerse our grads, so that they get a true front line team member experience
• To offer an environment in which our grads gain the ability to identify the challenges, resources and stakeholders of the operations environment
• To help or grads develop an understanding of the guest experience within the guest-facing area
• To enable our grads to clearly identify the Key Result Areas in the guest-facing area; evaluate why these areas exist; and learn how these areas can be influenced by the group of their graduate placement
   

Successful participants will join a full training school within the operational area to give them the skills to work in a guest-facing role (such as Guest Services Agent or Guest Contact Centre Agent). They will also be given a project to complete, in combination with their placement, and will be asked to present it to key leaders in the business. Grads will need to demonstrate initiative and utilise the networks and resources around them. While this rotation differs significantly to their studies, it is an important rotation that enables them to develop knowledge of the business, and enhance their ability to understand and respond to operational requirements; all of which are required to form the basis of a successful career at Virgin Australia.

Graduate Shorts

Graduate shorts are one or two day placements, which are experiential and interactive, with the aim of giving participants exposure to more areas of the business to increase their understanding of how our business operates.

In-house Learning

Throughout a grad's two-year program they will spend time in courses conducted by ‘The Academy’. The Academy is our in-house learning centre that coordinates our leadership programs. These programs will provide grads with fast-tracked learning, and enrich their program. Areas include presentation skills, leadership, service and cultural awareness.

Graduate Leader

Throughout the two-year program, grads will have a Graduate Leader to assist and support them through their program.

A Graduate Leader has the following accountabilities:

• To oversee a graduate's program and ensure they get the learning experiences they need
• To provide mentoring, support, advice and direction
• To debrief/pre-brief rotations and learning opportunities
• To share knowledge and feedback and to encourage networking
• To help grads find a permanent role within our business...  Your Graduate Leader will be a manager from the business, within the area of your Graduate Program.

Rotation Manager

For each rotation grads will have a Rotation Manager who is responsible for their day-to-day work activity. They will be responsible for setting a grad's work and rotation objectives, and for identifying areas for development and other training. They will also provide guidance and feedback and conduct a formal performance review with the grad at the end of their rotation.

Buddy

Buddies are more than likely to be a graduate from a previous year, who will help grads settle into ‘working life’ and provide them with support and advice throughout the program. A buddy can also help a grad link into our broader graduate network.

Eligibility

To be considered for our DJ2012 Graduate Program, you must demonstrate in your initial application that you meet the following criteria:

• Be a student expecting to be granted a relevant university degree before the end of 2011 or have successfully completed your degree no earlier than the end 2010. We are also consider students for our Finance Graduate Program who wish to finish their final year part-time
• Be an Australian/New Zealand citizen or Australian Permanent Resident
• All of our graduate positions are located in Brisbane, therefore you must be willing to relocate (at your own expense) to Brisbane if offered a position
• You must agree to undertake a security clearance check to establish your eligibility to hold an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC)
• You must be able to commence work in early February 2012
• You must be able to comply with Virgin Australia’s and the Civil Aviation Security Authorities strict Drug and Alcohol Management Policy

As part of our recruitment process, you will be assessed on your ability to demonstrate the following:

• A proactive approach to delivering outcomes
• Resourcefulness and innovative thinking
• High levels of motivation
• Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills
• Adaptability
• A strong sense of discipline and integrity
• The ability to work as part of a successful team
• Broad business thinking and an entrepreneurial spirit
• Confidence and impact
• A commitment to excellence
• An innate drive to achieve both professionally and personally
• Leadership qualities, demonstrated by employment history or extra curricular activities
• Mental processing ability including critical information seeking, analytical skills and problem solving

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FAQs

 

If I have applied for DJ2012 when will I find out if I am progressed to the next stage?

You will receive notification as to whether you have been short listed within two weeks of the application close date. Assessment days will be held two weeks later and you will be advised if you have progressed to the panel interviews shortly after. We will also use other forms of testing during the selection process.

 

Do I get a notification when you have received my application?

You will receive an email confirmation when you have successfully lodged your application.

 

Can I change my personal details throughout the process?

Yes, make sure you keep your username and password details and you can log on and change your personal details at any time.

 

If I forget my username or password what can I do?

You can retrieve these details by logging on to the application website and clicking on ‘forgot my username / password’. This will send you an automatic email to give you your details.

 

I am an international student; can I still apply for the DJ2012 Graduate Program?

If you are an Australian or New Zealand permanent resident you are eligible to apply for this program.

 

If I am not a permanent resident will Virgin Australia sponsor me to receive a Working Visa or Permanent Residency?

We do not offer visa sponsorship as part of the graduate program. You need to be an Australian or New Zealand permanent resident.

 

When does the DJ2012 Graduate Program commence?

The DJ2012 Graduate Program commences at the beginning of February 2012.

 

If I have a double degree or post graduate qualifications would this be seen as advantageous?

Yes, this would be advantageous, but not necessary. Virgin Australia looks at a range of different qualities and previous experience. We are look for well rounded graduates, whom encompass Virgin values and demonstrate leadership potential.

 

When I accept a specific time for my interview am I able to change this?

As we are on a tight schedule to find our DJ2012 Graduates, once you accept one of the options for group and individual interviews we will not be able to change this.

 

If I am successful as a DJ2012 graduate where will I be based?

If you are successful as the DJ2012 Graduate you will predominantly be based in the Virgin Village, at Bowen Hills, in Brisbane. You do however have the option to complete your guest-facing rotation in your home base or a base of your choice should a training school be available for you to attend at this time.

 

If I need to move interstate for the DJ2012 Graduate Program do I receive relocation assistance?

If you are willing to relocate for the DJ2012 Graduate Program we will provide you with three flights – a return flight to Brisbane to familiarise yourself with Brisbane and a third flight for you to relocate.

 

What are the benefits of the DJ2012 Graduate Program?

• Maximum exposure and develop of skills in a range of different business areas that operates through interdependencies in a complex business environment.
• Fast tracked learning, as you attend tailored training courses.
• The opportunity to network across the business.  
• Broadened horizons through different rotations – you may end up working in an area you didn't originally see yourself.

 

What sort of training do I receive as a Graduate?

Your first week as a graduate will include a structured Graduation Induction Program, which will include several different types of training and introductions to Virgin Australia. You will also be involved in a mentoring program and on-the-job training. As a graduate you can complete rotations in different guest-facing and operational areas of the business as well as in the stream of your expertise. For each of these placements you will receive different training depending on the requirements of the role.

 

What if I finish mid 2012?

If you finish in mid 2012 and meet our application criteria, we welcome you to apply for our DJ2013 Graduate Program. Keep an eye on our adverts next year. For our Finance Graduate Program, if you finish mid 2012 – and wish to complete your final semester (or year) part-time while working for us full-time – we'd like to hear from you .

 

What happens with rotations?

If you join our Corporate and Commercial or Operations program, you will have the opportunity to tell us your preferences for where you would like to work. These preferences along with your background are taken into consideration during the allocation process. All Corporate and Commercial placements are subject to business requirements. Our Finance and IT programs are more structured.

 

I have a degree which allows me to apply for a specialist program (IT or Finance), can I also apply for the generalist stream?

If you hold a degree which allows you to apply for any of the specialist programs, you are also eligible to apply for the generalist program. Some of the questions and processes may vary in the different streams. If successful, we will strongly consider your preferences, though we cannot guarantee your first choice.

 

How long is the DJ2012 Graduate Program?

The DJ2012 Graduate Program runs for two years, starting in February 2012.

 

Am I able to finish the DJ2012 Graduate Program early?

The Graduate Program gives you an incredible opportunity to gain knowledge and exposure to the business. You can move into a permanent role, however you would then no longer have access to the opportunities of the Graduate Program.

 

What happens when I finish the DJ2012 Graduate Program?

Toward the end of the DJ2012 Graduate Program you will be able to discuss with your Graduate Leader, Rotation Manager and the People (HR) department the areas in the business in which you are interested in pursuing a career. We will assist you towards placement into one of these roles. You will remain as a Graduate until you move into a permanent placement.

 

What are the Remuneration and Benefits?

Virgin Australia offers graduates a competitive market salary as well as a variety of benefits.