Conditional Offer

[andyrussell]

Hi

I have been conditionally offered a place at Bournemouth on the ATCO training course, starting Oct 1, subject to security clearance, medical and references. With only a few weeks to the start date, I was wondering if short notice is the norm. I will be travelling from Northern Ireland and the relevant arrangements need to be made. I was called by Gatwick last Tuesday (28th Aug) and told that my medical was fine, after complications, but as yet have not recieved a reference number or certificate. Again, is a delay normal. Any information much appreciated. Thanks.

[Numpo-Nigit]

Hi Russ

Welcome to the crazy world of NATS. Yes, you are correct that short notice is the norm for just about everything. In fact, your notice was almost a month, so that is almost unbelievably long-term planning. No undue cynicism intended, it has always been par for the course. Many of us can recall finding our posting notice to another unit waiting for us when we eventually arrived there !!!

Don't worry unduly, just go with the flow.

Good luck!!!!

[TopSwiss941]

Hi Russ

I too will be starting at Bournemouth in October, although I had my interviews back in May and have had quite a bit of time to prepare.

Have you received any info from the college yet wrt accomodation/timetable etc...?

Cheers

TS941

[andyrussell]

TopSwiss941

A conditional offer, subject to medical, security and references, is all I have recieved. I have had nothing in terms of a final letter of confirmation ( do you get one ? ), and nothing from the college itself. Have you been told that they contact you regarding timetable and accommodation etc? I am beginning to think I dreamt the whole thing!

[Dog On Wheels]

SR & TS

Hi, I'll try to help fill in the blanks if you are still in the dark.

If you are starting on the 1st, it will be on a 5 day residential induction course at Highfield Park near Reading - no accomodation worries, and they will send you directions. Look forward to a week of team-building exercises (Cross the Shark Infested Custard Pit Using Only This Bit of String and a Match) and long evenings in the bar. The week after, you start at CATC in Bournemouth. As for accomodation, the joining pack that you will get from the college should have a list of B&B's and rooms to rent. Most of the B&B's are in the Westby Road area of Boscombe, and that's where most students stay at first, some for the length of their time in Bournemouth, others get flats later. Most of the B&B's listed are good, and there should be no trouble getting booked in at the start of October. I don't think they send you a timetable for the course, you get that at Highfield when they are there to explain it so it makes sense.

As far as your conditional offer goes, if you have had your medical and passed it, then everything should be fine. I can't remember getting a final confirmation letter, but I might be wrong. It's also possible that your security clearance may take slightly longer if you are from N.I., I think that happened to a guy on our course, but it caused no problems.

Have fun the induction week, it's a good laugh, and enjoy the course.

[andyrussell]

Dog On Wheels

Thanks for the info - much appreciated ! I take it then I can start the course even if security clearance isn't through by the start date ? Anything else about getting started or about the course you think would be of any use ? Thanks

[TopSwiss941]

Many thanx for the info. I received my package from the college this mornin' with the relevant info concerning accomodation in Bournemouth and basic outline of the course.

I would appreciate it if someone could comment on whether staying in a guest house is the best option, or if and when the opportunity arises, move into rented accomodation? (although this is not reccomended by the college!)

Anyway, until the 1st - see you there Russ!

Cheers!

TS941

[5milesbaby]

For the first course or so, staying in Westby Road is really a must. Then you have plenty of opportunities to 'get together for talks and study', or more so socialising down at the Seagull. If you then rent, do it course by course, taking 3 month contracts, there's plenty on offer, even try holiday flats etc.

Some N.I security clearances do take longer than the start date, all that happens is that you don't get a permenant pass until your cleared, its just a pain in the arse every morning getting a temporary one.

[Vlad the Impaler]

satco russ,
do you know what a satco is ?
its a Senior atco like a latcc Watch Manager.
You and I my friend are SATC's other end of the ladder and about £50000 a year poorer. See you in Oct. Well done................. ;)