Simon DE ERDAVIDE has been an HRBP for Airbus in Bangalore, the Indian Silicon Valley, since September 2024. He was able to access this position after completing a V.I.E mission as an HR Project Coordinator at Airbus Malaysia.

I completed a V.I.E assignment from February 2023 to July 2024 in Malaysia. In this role, I reported directly to the Human Resources Director of Malaysia, overseeing all Airbus entities in Malaysia. My responsibilities included streamlining and standardizing HR processes, as well as leading the creation and implementation of the new Airbus Malaysia HR newsletter. Additionally, I provided support across various HR services, including recruitment, visa processes, and onboarding of new employees.

We are pioneers of sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. Airbus is the largest aerospace company in Europe, providing products, services, and solutions for the commercial aircraft, helicopter, defense, and space sectors. Building on more than half a century of aerospace engineering expertise, Airbus products are defined by innovation. We are developing the next generation of aircraft to be lighter, safer, and more fuel-efficient, and to use alternative fuel sources. From commercial aircraft and helicopters that connect and unite people around the world to military aircraft and satellites that protect citizens and countries, Airbus products make modern, connected life possible.

Airbus is a global group with V.I.E opportunities all over the world. We are certified Top Employer in 16 countries. We have a strategy of relationships with universities and schools. We value these experiences for our future job opportunities.

In addition to technical skills, the most important criteria are soft skills such as communication, curiosity, adaptability, and resilience.

In our team, we ensure that V.I.E participants are fully integrated from day one. They follow a structured onboarding process, including training sessions and introductions to various departments, a session on our activities in the country where they are assigned, and a tour of the offices. They are actively involved in key projects, with real responsibilities and autonomy. We also encourage their professional development by giving them access to training opportunities and facilitating their integration through team events and informal meetings. Our goal is to ensure that they feel like a valued member of the team and can thrive in their role.

The V.I.E program has brought me a lot at Airbus. I was able to be trained within the company, learn the processes, and discover several sites, including the Bangkok site, where I had the opportunity to explore the facilities, meet the teams, and discover the local culture. I was also part of a V.I.E cohort with participants from over 15 different countries, and we met in Toulouse, at Airbus headquarters. We shared our experiences about the countries where we were assigned. We also had the chance to meet people from the headquarters holding positions in various HR fields (such as C&B, mobility, recruitment, HSE, L&D) as well as regional HR directors. This gave us a broader view of career paths and opportunities within a global company.

The V.I.E program is an excellent opportunity for young people aged 18 to 28 from France and the European Economic Area (EEA) to gain international professional experience and launch their careers abroad in a structured and supportive environment.

I would recommend that they do not hesitate to apply to Airbus and go through our website to learn more about Airbus activities in the country or location of the position, to familiarize themselves with the key information they use daily. Additionally, they should learn about the country where the mission will take place, as living abroad is a rewarding and enriching human adventure that offers valuable learning experiences outside of work. I would also suggest that they contact former V.I.E participants on LinkedIn who have completed their mission in the same country to get information.

I would like to add that joining Airbus has truly been a very enriching human and professional adventure. It allowed me to discover several Airbus sites, starting with Malaysia, where I spent a year and a half. I worked on different sites in a multicultural environment, rich in diversity, and learned a lot about cultural differences and local dynamics.

I also had the opportunity to be on a mission at the Airbus office in Bangkok, Thailand, which was a very different experience from what I had in Malaysia but just as formative.

If I had to give a message to those who are still hesitating, I would strongly recommend joining Airbus if they are looking for a human, international, and exciting adventure.