VIRGIN JETS TO NUMBER ONE SPOT AS BEST EMPLOYER

VIRGIN Australia (ASX:VHA) has topped the list as the nation's most attractive employer, with half of all Australians saying they would like to work for the airline.

The Brisbane-based business took was awarded the honour at the annual Randstad Award, edging out ABC in second place and the Department of Immigration & Border Protection in third.

Organisations are ranked on strong management skills and the ability to provide a good work-life balance, based on responses from more than 12,000 Australians of working age.

Virgin Australia has placed in the top three for the last five years, and was also named Australia's most attractive employer in 2011.

Randstad Australia CEO Frank Ribuot says the results demonstrate strength in consumer confidence within the aviation industry.

"The Virgin brand is widely recognised around the world and by people from all walks of life," Ribuot says.

"For the past few years, Virgin Australia has been recognised as one of the best employers in Australia so it's testament to the company's continued investment towards building its employer brand that this year it has taken the highest accolade."

Fellow airline Qantas came in fifth and took out the Youth Award, for being the most appealing employer for the younger generation.

Aviation was named the most attractive sector to work for in the country at 45 per cent, followed by fast moving consumer goods and mining and national resources.

Virgin Australia group executive for people, culture and sustainability Geraldine Chin Moody says upskilling opportunities and career advancement in the company contributed to the win.

"Our people have been key to the successful transformation of the airline over the past few years, and this award is testament to their outstanding professionalism and dedication to excellence," Chin Moody says.

"Our focus is on supporting our team to actively manage their careers and develop to their full potential.

"Our people get opportunities to be involved in our transformational projects and build their skills internally."

Ribuot says the research validates the importance of having an employer brand to attract the best talent to your business.

"Organisations such as those who are recognised in the Randstad Award, who act positively and clearly communicate to their staff the value of the work they do and the role they play in society, have an opportunity to not only build trust, but to also attract bright and ambitious people to work for them," he says.

"The kind of people you're looking to attract to your organisation, to take it forward, will have developed a shortlist of organisations they want to work for, and it is important you are on that shortlist."