Selection process for ATCO!

[10W]

lo,ri

Searching on PPRuNe for hints and tips is good advice. Here's some background on the actual selection process.

The selection process used by NATS has four stages.

Preselection
Ability Testing
Interactive Computer Tests
Interviews

PRESELECTION

The pre selection criteria are:

• Be aged between 18-29 years of age.
  Candidates over this age limit may be considered if they have extensive aviation experience either as a military controller civil or military assistant or pilot.
• Hold a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C or above including Maths and English (or Scottish equivalent.
• Have completed a period of post GCSE study, for example 2 GCE 'A' levels, BTEC.
• Have the right to work in the UK
• Satisfy the Authority's eyesight requirement. (Class 1 medical)

Those applicants who meet the pre-selection criteria are then invited to attend a test centre to take ability tests, Personality questionnaire, Learning Styles questionnaire, ATC knowledge test and have a group presentation from an operational ATCO.

ABILITY TESTING

The following tests are used.

• Basic Checking
  Speed and accuracy of checking two sets of printed information.
• Numerical Computation
  Arithmetic Computation using the four signs.
• Spatial Reasoning
  Spatial visualisation, mental picture.
• Diagramming
  Short term memory, convergent thinking, complex instruction, coded information.
• Learning Styles
  Measures the candidates motivation towards study and to fit Personality Questionnaire
  in with NATS learning environment.
• ATC Motivation Tests
  Basic knowledge of ATC based on information provided to the candidates in NATS information packs, this also gives an indication of motivation. Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 60% to be invited to interview.
• Personality Questionnaire
  Various personality traits.

The results from the most significant tests are combined together with three of the Personality scales, to indicate the probability of success if selected for ATCO training. A cut off figure is then applied, those above the cut-off are invited to attend the final interviews, those below are eliminated from the selection process.

INTERACTIVE COMPUTER TESTS

The tests measure the following skills.

• Ability to absorb information simultaneously from multiple sources.
• Ability to absorb new information whilst making decisions.
• Ability to project forward using current information.
• Ability to make adjustments constantly to the whole picture.

The three computer based tests, are:-

• Sort Task
  The task requires candidates to sort objects (coloured shapes and numbers) into categories by given rules. The candidate must take account of occasional messages which alter the way objects are sorted and monitor whether the object to be sorted matches a given stimulus which changes from time to time.
• Relative Direction Task
  This is a two part test, in the first the candidate is presented with a dot, an arrow and words left or right. The tasks is to say whether the word correctly describes the position of the dot relative to the arrow. The second part is similar except sometimes the arrow is shown from behind (represented by the arrow in outline) but the task is still to describe the position of the dot for someone standing in front of the display.
• Moving Objects Task
  In this test a series of objects (represented by numbers) move across the screen at constant speed in different directions. The task is to identify which if any of the objects will collide and to remove the minimum numbers of objects to prevent all collisions. In the second part of the test multiple choice arithmetic questions appear at the bottom of the screen simultaneously with the main tasks to introduce an element of multi tasking.

INTERVIEWS

For those candidates who are selected for interview, a personality profile is generated by a computer "expert system" from the data collected at the testing stage and this is available at the interview. The interviews are conducted against criteria drawn from the original job analysis. There are two interviews, a technical interview conducted by an operational ATCO, and a Personnel interview. Emphasis is placed at the interview stage on the motivation for a career in ATC and previous examples of achievement orientation. The interviews follow a structured format and measure:

• Motivation/Achievement Orientation
• Stability
• Reasoning Skills
• Maturity
• Team Skills
• Aviation Focus
• Communication Skills
• Flexibility
• Ability to Fit into a Regulated System
• Integrity
• Domestic Mobility
• Problem Solving
• Multi-tasking
• Tenacity

So there you have it. I now wonder how the hell I ever got in

For further information, I'd suggest visiting NATS online at http://www.nats.co.uk or contacting NATS Recruitment.

A M Hutchinson
Recruitment Services Manager
T1212
One Kemble Street
London
WC2B 4AP

TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

E-Mail: [email protected]

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10 West
UK ATC'er
[email protected]

Edited for crap UBB code !!



[This message has been edited by 10W (edited 27 June 2001).]