British Airways (BA) is calling for more females to get onboard its engineering apprenticeship schemes.

With only 8% of the airline's engineering workforce represented by women, BA is keen to tackle the issue and is urging people to sign up to one of its programmes during national apprenticeship week.

Currently the carrier has spaces for more than 80 apprentices to join two of its three engineering programmes - Aircraft Maintenance and Aircraft Appearance.

Both schemes are open to applicants until the end of March.

A third engineering scheme, Business and Administration is due to open to applicants later in the year.

Callan Whitehead, Heathrow-based aircraft mechanic and past winner of BA Apprentice of the Year, has not looked back since completing her engineering apprenticeship with the airline in 2013.

Ms Whitehead said: “I love my job because of the new challenges and variety I experience every day.

"My day to day role involves working to fix issues with aircraft that the pilots have informed us of.

"I get great satisfaction from working with others to find solutions.

"I would recommend going down the apprentice route as you get to learn new skills and gain qualifications while getting paid.”

Last year, the airline employed 175 apprentices to its 12 apprenticeship schemes across the business from head office and operations, to IT, finance and project management.

Joanna James, BA's head of cabin maintenance, said: “While the lack of female engineers is a nationwide issue, we’re keen to start highlighting the benefits of this career to girls. "Engineering is an excellent profession with great potential for progression and diversification and I would encourage all school leavers, both male and female, to carefully consider it as an option.

"An apprenticeship is a great way to get a foothold in a company and learn the tools of the trade while earning a salary.”