When’s the best time to apply to NATS?

[Future Flyer]

I’m now certain that ATC is the career path that I wish to follow. After receiving my GCSE results last Thursday, I’m very pleased with what the slip of paper had to say and I’m now looking forward to doing A levels in Maths, Physics, Geography and Economics. I really do not want to go to university and would be looking at trying my luck at the NATS selection process directly after A levels. Would I be correct in thinking that courses start in March, June, September and December each year? My main question is when would be the best time to apply and for which course? Is it possible to apply before you know your A level results? Also, is the Online application the only way to apply and, roughly speaking, what kind of time period is there between the day of application and been giving a place on a course assuming that each stage of the selection process is passed? At the moment I think the best plan of action is to receive the results at the end of August 2008 and then apply for the course beginning December 2008 which would then also mean that I would be 19 years old at the start of the course assuming I made it that far. I appreciate this is all 2 years away, but i see no harm in a spot of forward planning.

Thanks. :ok:

[Gonzo]

AFAIK, you can only apply online.

The problem with quoting timescales is that you, as the applicant, actually get to choose which date (from several options) you will attend before each stage of the process. The quickest from application to starting a course is just under two months. There is no 'good time' to apply for a particular course. If constraints of school etc mean that a December course is desriable, state this on your application.

[Courtenay]

If I were you, I'd do a year of my A levels, then during the summer holidays next year, give Nats a call, and explain your situation. If you applied just after Xmas, I reckon you could be looking at the September course, if you didn't book things immediately. I'm sure Nats would be more than happy to defer you to the December course, if you gave your reasons why (although they may say you finished school in June/July, give us another reason). Remember that you could start in September, you'd have had July and August off, and all your friends would be going off to uni at the end of Sept or early Oct anyway.

The application form, from what I can remember, asks what Grades you have, or are predicted, and Nats blurb states that you must have embarked upon further studies (i.e. above GCSEs), and as you are going to take them I wouldn't worry.

Things to consider:

Will school be happy for you to have 3 days off for tests and interviews? (yes I know you could go sick)
Have you had any interview experience before? (including part time work)
Have you had any previous work experience? (part time job whilst at school).

I would guess that as you have just got your GCSE results the answer would be no. I'm sure others here will disagree, but If ATC is your dream/chosen career, it wouldn't hurt to give yourself a leg up with skills before going for interview. If you have a part time job, Mcdonalds, WH smith, Telephone sales, PC World something like that you'd have something to give examples of that wasn't school, and you'd not be experiencing your first ever interview.

Plus a lot of employers like you to have had some "life skills" before starting with them. Now the easy way to get that is not apply until you are 23 (not an option, I'm sure you are saying). The hard way is go out of your way to get some NOW. Then in interview if you are challenged on a point like that you can have some answers...

Cheers,

James.

[Future Flyer]

Thanks for all the help. At the beginning of the holidays I realised the importance of gaining experience of the “real world” as it were. I’ve spent the past 2 months having a brilliant time working in a television/HIFI shop in Manchester and so I’m hoping that lack of experience will not be a real issue. I’ve also had visits to Air Traffic at Barton for a week last year. Does holding a PPL give any advantage at all in the selection process?

Thanks

[1985]

Does holding a PPL give any advantage at all in the selection process?

I doubt it. Might help in the technical interviews but you've got to get through the first two stages first. Good luck.:)