British Airways has pledged its support for the Government’s New Deal offering jobs and hope to the young unemployed.

Bob Ayling, British Airways’ Chief Executive, will meet Prime Minister Tony Blair tonight (Feb 11) at Number Ten Downing Street to sign the New Deal Agreement committing the airline’s support to the New Deal, which aims to give subsidised jobs and training opportunities to 18-24 year olds who have been unemployed for six months or more.

British Airway’s current plans are to recruit more than 7,000 people over the next two years for cabin crew, ground customer service, baggage handling, telephone sales. Some of these could go to New Deal candidates.

Bob Ayling said: ” New Deal is about giving unemployed people the skills, experience and help they need to get jobs and to stay in jobs. At British Airways we will do our utmost to make New Deal a success and offer these youngsters as much help and encouragement to help build a brighter future.”

British Airways has already demonstrated its commitment to the initiative. Last year Valerie Scoular, the airline’s Director of Customer Services, joined the New Deal Task Force.

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