NATS Initial Selection Tests - Dates?

[GolfWhiskeyKilo]

Hi Gang,

Just wondering if anyone else is waiting for a date to go for the initial selection day? They put it back again due to a shortage of applicants so were waiting for days to become fully booked before confirming a date??

I know with the postal delays I'm wondering, before calling them, if something should have arrived by now.

Thanks,

Ian B

[PGM]

I'm in the same boat! I applied in July of this year and received a letter saying the initial tests would be in November. I called Swanick a couple of days ago and they have now confirmed that they have been put back to the new year. It's just a case of sitting it out. I too am in Durham...maybe see you there!

[GolfWhiskeyKilo]

Hi there,

ah ok that answers it then I suppose. More time to get rid of the rust on my maths.

Keep in touch and if we get the same day we can share the travel costs!

Ian

[mickrobbo]

I too am waiting for a selection date to be confirmed...I applied back in March this year and got told July/Aug then Nov/Dec, and they aren't that hot on communication so I was unaware that this has been put back again....it sucks big time.
I'm near Manchester so I doubt I will be seeing you guys at the tests.....

[garthy]

I got a letter a couple of weeks ago that said they were launching the on-line application form in Novemer (which is now up and running) and would be looking to do initial testing no earlier than the end of November/beggining of December, so it looks like new year may not be a bad estimate. Didn't realise there had been a lack of applicants, everytime I phoned in the last six months they kept putting me off saying to wait for the new on-line form.
Good luck to everyone. Having spent the first 18 years of my life in Bournemouth, it would be fun to go back there all these years later, though its nice to see that the Seagull is still talked about. Funny to think I worked in the McDonalds down the road from there when a was i kid!:}

[heinzmanm]

I'm waiting too! Out of interest, does anyone know the locations where the tests are held and, more specifically which would be nearest to Newcastle Upon Tyne?
Thanks

[GolfWhiskeyKilo]

Thanks for all the comments and answers people!

heinzmanm - I am in Chester-le-Street not far from you, and from what I hear they'll be in Manchester, or Edinburgh but don't hold me on that!

Ian

[heinzmanm]

Thanks. Thought that it would be 'key' cities such as those.
Hope to see you there.

[GolfWhiskeyKilo]

Yeah.

Great will look forward to it.

Ian.

[atcsstudent]

I am waiting too!!!!!
I applied in June, and I have to fly from Majorca. Hope to see you soon in London or wherever!!!
;)

[PGM]

Whereabouts in Mallorca JoanMcewen, I lived out there for 3 years and came back to the uk in 2000. I can think of worst places to be whilst waiting!!!

[atcsstudent]

Hi PGM!!
I live in Buger, a little village near Campanet and Inca.
Where did you live???
I've always been living here, but born in England. I come now and again.
See ya!!

[PGM]

In Puerto Pollensa, it was beautiful, but too many tourists at times. maybe see you at the tests!

[aaaabbbbcccc1111]

i applied oct 2002,and i am still waiting for my interview,i had my initial selection in april 03,and i have no idea when my interview will be.

[dannyo]

I applied in November 2002 and I've now been offered a place at Bournemouth starting next October:D

Getting to know the people around you on the test day is well worth it. Calmed my nerves no end having someone to speak to during the day. Gave me someone to go for lunch with as well. and to the pub when the day had finished!!

Good luck all!! Its hard but well worth the effort:ok:

[katanapilot]

I applied to NATS in November 2002, and went to London for testing in Feb this year, followed by a successful interview day in April. I was told that the next course would be the October 2004 course, subject to passing the Class 1 medical. They gave me a date in July this year, however I couldn't make the date and have heard nothing since!!

I have since taken up training for a related profession, so am not concerned, but would definitely agree that the communication is not brilliant, but 'phone calls tend to sort things out. Don't think the move to Swanwick has helped matters either! Understand also that the ATCO training course is going through a transition period, with the newer course being shorter than the old course, hence the delay in starting training.

Good luck everyone!

[Kirstey]

Same old question!!

But anyone been in touch with the lazy so and sos from NATS HR about a test date.. I wanna go on holiday! bit hard to book a date not knowing when the tests will be!

[GolfWhiskeyKilo]

Same old, i'm just sitting waiting but I am applying for other things so hope they get back to me soon.

Ian

[weselfluren]

GolfWhiskeyKilo Same old, i'm just sitting waiting but I am applying for other things so hope they get back to me soon.


Well said GWK - HR do not appreciate that you'd have a life outside of their recruitment cycle, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. Shame it could completely balls up your career, personal life, entire future if you didn't get in.....

I doubt those nice and helpful guys at HR don't want to help, just seems like the whole organisation is slow on the recruitment side of things right now - and as all the courses are "booked up" until about a year from now, it might be well worth giving HR a call to see if they can supply any information. Be prepared to be fobbed off, in a kindly manner.:*

I'm a "victim" of this absurd position too:{ , and have been for a while. It is hell not knowing, but I suspect that the HR guys don't know either - hence the lack of any info coming out of Swanick.

The best hope for any action is for either someone from HR or the upper management actually reading or giving them a call. I'd give them a call - it shouldn't "put a stain" on your record. Who could criticize you for being enthusiastic.......?:rolleyes:


Try one of these:
Recruitment & Selection
Rova Cabins - LACC
Swanwick Centre
Sopwith Way
Swanwick
Hants SO31 7AY

Tel 01 489 612910

Best of luck, think that we'll all be needing it in January, or February, or maybe March.......:hmm: :suspect:

Could go on all night, but Pprune only has so much storage space for Weselfluren's rants about the crap that isn't coming forth from HR :E :ok:

[GolfWhiskeyKilo]

Hi weselfluren,

I agree. I think i'll call them come 2nd week of Jan if I haven't heard anything by then.

Regards,

Ian

[Inverted81]

Hi everyone!,
I'm yet another person waiting for a date in the new year.... sounds like i was one of the last to apply "by paper". Phoned HR the other day, they said they were finally getting sorted after the move and that we should expect some dates through the post BEFORE the new year....... any bets??? Hope to see some of you guys in the near future!! :D
Chris

[GolfWhiskeyKilo]

Yo,

I applied by paper too so must have been one of the last. With the postal system still catching up from the strikes, I won't be holding my breath!

Ian

[garthy]

Seen a mail in the Sponsership forum of this site from a guy who says that he has received a selection letter. Anyone else had one?
NATS didn't seem to think they were ready to send anything out yet, but I did say I applied end of October, so maybe thats the reason I've not heard, any of those who have been waiting an age heard yet?

[GolfWhiskeyKilo]

Applied in May, had 2 letters since then putting off the selection dates and nothing so far on the recent stuff so just waiting :)

Ian

[weselfluren]

Best to check the doormat/letterbox on the return from work tonight!:D :D :D (Yes, I have seen what arrived in the post this morning, and it is almost beautiful:O )

Tests and interviews may well be held on different dates, so might be worth calling to check they haven't forgotten about you:uhoh: !

Well done HR! Finally sorted out after only 6 months? You must be sooooo proud........:mad: :ok:


Best of luck to everyone in the new year, hopefully it'll be a good one for a lot of us!:)

Could go on all night, but Pprune only has so much storage space for Weselfluren's rants about the crap that isn't coming forth from HR - will stop the rants and hogging so much storage space and all of the sarcastic/frowning/angry "smilies", honest! (edited after re-reading previous posting!)

[garthy]

Wes,
don't get too excited about your letterbox/mat.
I spoke with HR last night and the lady there (who admitted she was not dealing with trainees) said that they were still collating and were not sending anything out, so I'm suprised if someone has got a date yet

[Inverted81]

Hi everyone,
I received a letter yesterday, confirming that dates were due in january for people who have had their interview stage cancelled and initial tests are spread through jan and feb. I know london tests are due around 2-3 feb. Apparently the next course start date is Jan 2005! They've got to confirm venues before packs are sent out. Apparently giving us six weeks notice!! better get their skates on if their quoted dates are to be trusted!! See you guys soon!
Chris ;)

[GolfWhiskeyKilo]

I got a letter today saying that those who had interviews cancelled would have them in JAN, and the initial tests for new applicants would be in March, with 6 weeks notice for the tests. The next course is not until Jan 2005.

Ian

[Frogga]

Hi all I applied to NATS back in April 2003 and got told that I would have to wait for aptitude tests and interviews until mere people applied from the area which I lived in, The Midlands. I recieved a letter in October to say I would have aptitude tests in October or November. I then heard nothing until this morning when I was told by letter that I would have interviews in January at Birmingham and aptitude tests if successful at the end of March.

Frogga

[GolfWhiskeyKilo]

Hi,

Check again, my letter said Interviews in JAN for those who had interviews cancelled, aptitude tests for new applicants. As far as I understand it, interview comes after tests.

Ian

[garthy]

I have now noticed a couple of messages over the weeks mentioning that HR were commenting that not enough people havea applied in your area etc.
Out of interest does anyone have an idea about the number of applications they receive, or more pertinently, how many they have to sift through for the 2005 courses?

[foghorn]

After passing the selection back in April, I had my interview cancelled in June and have had nothing from them since. I phoned in October and was told to that they were not rushing into having interviews as the college was so backed up with students that no courses were free until 2005.

As it looks like there's finally some movement I will be waiting for the postman tomorrow morning to see if I get a rescheduled interview in January.

[mickrobbo]

Well...don't know about anyone else but I received a letter from NATS today. Basically letting me know that the next available course was Jan 2005 as we already knew.

It also listed initial testing dates for the coming few months, and dates for interviews that had been cancelled last year.

It appears the initial selections will run from end of Jan 2004 thru to about June I think. Manchester dates are between 9-12 March. Sorry but this is the only 1 I can remember. Apparently if you pass thru these tests you will get an interview 5-6weeks later.

About time we had some good news.....

[mr.777]

Thank you to NATS HR for sending me the new interview/selection dates for next year....even though I've already passed them and am starting training in March!!!!
Piss up and brewery spring to mind...........
777

[foghorn]

Yep the letter arrived yesterday morning - although I await the firm booking, I guess I'll be at the interviews in London in February.

Time to get the books out again!

[weselfluren]

I got invited to Swanwick in January earlier on this week - then a 2nd letter arrives telling me "to be held in Bournemouth". Not exactly close by/easy to mix up......:confused:

At least I haven't been called back for an interview after getting in! Does smell a little funny round the brewery......:uhoh:

Good luck to everyone and keep at it!:ok:

[doormouse]

Garthy

You asked about how many applicants? I know they have over 2000 in the pipeline they are not going to incorporate into the new on line system. Previous years they have had up to 8000 following heavy advertising that has not taken place for a while!

[VectorLine]

How about getting a "congratulations, we are offering you a place on course number xxx" letter when you are already half way through your college training?

That's what I got. Turned out to be for someone with same first initial and surname. Good thing I had the decency to phone up and tell them about it, or the other fella might still be waiting!!!!

This was 1999 by the way - things don't change much :( :mad:

[Arkady]

I received an application form for CATC eight months after validating. Suspiciously, it turned up through the internal mail. Somebodies idea of a joke or HR incompetence....I've never really decided.

[Inverted81]

GOOD NEWS!!!!!!!!

Got my date and location for the initial selection tests. 4th feb in london, well thats my closest!! Anyone else going to be there that day?

Chris:} :D :O :p