Hi all,

When NATS re-opens its trainee ATCO selection once again, apparently this is now scheduled for May, I anticipate I will be re-applying.

However, from my previous applications and generally from what I've picked up from various sources, including these forums, NATS do not recruit anyone with ATC or even ATSA experience through their trainee programme.

I am not an experienced ATCO, and neither an ATSA. But, I was considering taking up a role as an ATCA at a local private airport to me in order to stay close to the profession, essentially "live the dream" and gain some additional experience and understanding before my re-application to NATS.

I do not want to do this however, if even as an ATSA, NATS deem me as 'experienced' and therefore unacceptable for the trainee ATCO route.

Can anyone confirm or clarify this? I haven't made any moves towards any ATSA roles or vacancies as of yet primarily because of this issue!

Anyone help?

Had 2 ex ATSAs on my course. Not sure if things have changed in the last 3 years though.

Not preposterous at all Yahoo. NATS 'suits' want their ATCO's to all sing the great corporate anthem, and not be poisoned by experiences and attitudes gleaned from previous employers. It's called eugenics (Wickedpedia: - Eugenics is the "applied science or the bio-social movement which advocates the use of practices aimed at improving the genetic composition of a population", usually referring to the manipulation of human populations.)

Next stage will be NATS nurseries, where little controllerettes will be indoctrinated with company policies via specially written nursery rhymes, and will learn to read and write by studying the CAP 413.

where little controllerettes will be indoctrinated with company policies via specially written nursery rhymes

Able, Baker, Charlie, Dog....

He's as queer as a chocolate frog. :E

On the beach (still)

I'm pretty sure that that is not NATS' policy. I know of students who have been through fairly recently that had previous ATC experience.

Not true at all. Plenty of people at the college when I was there with previous experience

NATS will take you as a TATC if you have previous experience, just dont expect them to take it into consideration. you start at the start along with everyone else, and while background knowledge is always good bear in mind lots of units do things differently so your experience may not necessarily give you an edge.

NATS have their own 'way' of doing lots of things.

What NATS wont do is take you as a direct entry ATCO unless they are very short staffed in a particular area. NATS prefer NATS trained people (see above comment)

Thank you for all your inputs.

My aspirations to work as an ATSA are based purely upon being as close to my future career as possible, and whilst I do not expect to garner any advantage or edge over anyone in any way, I did not want to exclude myself from NATS trainee ATCO recruitment in doing so.

I'm glad to hear that this is not in fact the case! :ok: