Bristol Groundschool (BGS) has become the first modular training provider to be recognised by Jet2.com under the airline’s Jet2NextGen future pilot programme, giving eligible students an opportunity to be identified by the carrier early in their commercial pilot training.
Under the partnership, Bristol Groundschool students who have completed their first four Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) theory examinations and demonstrated strong first-sitting results may be ‘tagged’ by Jet2.com for its future pilot pipeline. Tagged students who continue to meet the airline’s eligibility criteria throughout their training will have access to a structured pathway towards employment with the carrier, subject to completing all required training, assessments and selection processes.
Unlike many airline-sponsored integrated training programmes, the modular route gives students greater flexibility over how they complete their training. While Bristol Groundschool provides the ATPL theoretical knowledge element, students remain free to undertake the flight training phase of their commercial pilot programme at an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) of their own choosing, rather than being required to train at a Jet2.com-selected flight school.
Gill Fowkes, Commercial Director at Bristol Groundschool, said the agreement highlighted growing recognition of the modular pathway.
“We are delighted to become the first recognised modular Jet2.com partner and to offer our students this exciting opportunity. Modular training has long been recognised as an accessible and highly effective route into the flight deck, and this partnership demonstrates the confidence that one of the UK’s leading airlines has in both our training and our students.”
She added that early recognition by Jet2.com gives students “a clear pathway towards a future airline career”, provided they continue to meet the required standards.
Josh Raven, Future Pilot Programme Manager at Jet2.com, said the airline wanted to identify promising trainees from the outset of their professional development.
“Given that ATPL theory is often the first major milestone on the journey to becoming a commercial airline pilot, we’re delighted to recognise Bristol Groundschool as our first recognised modular training partner,” he said. “This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting future pilot talent from the very start of their training journey, while providing a clear and structured route towards a career with Jet2.com.”
To be considered for the Jet2NextGen programme, candidates must satisfy a number of requirements, including holding the right to live and work in the UK, a UK CAA Private Pilot Licence, a valid Class 1 medical certificate and a recommendation from their flight training organisation.
The announcement marks the first time Jet2.com has recognised a modular ATPL theory provider as part of its future pilot recruitment strategy, reflecting the increasing prominence of modular training as an alternative to traditional integrated airline cadet programmes.