LACC Training (Split off from NATS Morale)
Join Date: Nov 2000
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welcome back DOW
you little devil you 
Good to see you are still around. I wonder what screen name you have been using since that little spat?
OK, I might have misunderstood the tone of Hurn-ias post. However, both his and my posts serve as very good examples of being careful what you write and how you write it.
(Could be a nice example for LACC TRM communications module - you'll see what I mean when you get there folks [apologies to those non NATS, non LACC readers])
Hurnia, if your post was in jest, I offer my apology.
Mr Chips thanks for the 'chill out' advice, oh wise one
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Think back to selection process day one. mobile grade, any location in Britain - remember any of those phrases from any form you might have signed?
NATS need to post people where they have gaps to fill. If that means everyones favourite Ice Station Zebra or Disney World Hampshire, when you really want to be a Brylcream Boy in the Tower of London - tough.
If you are streamed area, good luck and work hard. It's very much a longer, more difficult path to validation than airports. However, most college graduates do end up with a validation somewhere [unless you take it upon yourself to give up, or turn down a unit change]. Those who are streamed area are done so because NATS "think you're worth it" to (sort of) quote a shampoo advert.
Good to see you are still around. I wonder what screen name you have been using since that little spat?
OK, I might have misunderstood the tone of Hurn-ias post. However, both his and my posts serve as very good examples of being careful what you write and how you write it.
(Could be a nice example for LACC TRM communications module - you'll see what I mean when you get there folks [apologies to those non NATS, non LACC readers])
Hurnia, if your post was in jest, I offer my apology.
Mr Chips thanks for the 'chill out' advice, oh wise one
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Maybe one problem is the fact that at only 8 weeks into the intro course we are being asked to chose which discipline we want (26 to area). That obviously means some who dont want Swanwick will end up there, is this a good way to start a challenging career?
NATS need to post people where they have gaps to fill. If that means everyones favourite Ice Station Zebra or Disney World Hampshire, when you really want to be a Brylcream Boy in the Tower of London - tough.
If you are streamed area, good luck and work hard. It's very much a longer, more difficult path to validation than airports. However, most college graduates do end up with a validation somewhere [unless you take it upon yourself to give up, or turn down a unit change]. Those who are streamed area are done so because NATS "think you're worth it" to (sort of) quote a shampoo advert.
Join Date: Sep 2004
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First of all ask yourself a question, would i be calling ATCOs whingers? Technically i am one (a baby one i know).
Secondly, all i was saying was we get bombarded with so much negative **** everyday, it's a wonder anyone makes it through!
And lastly, i'm perfectly willing to go to Swanwick, it's a great unit, my problem is noone after only 8 weeks is in a position to make this decision. The older sytem of all three disciplines being an option was better, that way you got horses for courses!!
All we've had is one morning in swanwick and one in Bournemouth tower.... see my point!!
Secondly, all i was saying was we get bombarded with so much negative **** everyday, it's a wonder anyone makes it through!
And lastly, i'm perfectly willing to go to Swanwick, it's a great unit, my problem is noone after only 8 weeks is in a position to make this decision. The older sytem of all three disciplines being an option was better, that way you got horses for courses!!
All we've had is one morning in swanwick and one in Bournemouth tower.... see my point!!
Join Date: Nov 2000
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Well then, count yourself lucky, the first time we got to see a centre (except if you had a pre-interview visit) was when we were posted there. A short trip to Swanwick was conducted on Area 1 assessment day to get us out the way but that was 3 years before opening.
Teaching all 3 disciplines is far too wasteful of both time and money, its never going to happen again. Having a 'choice' isn't necessarily a good thing, the instructors could probably place you well following a few weeks watching your skills and move you into a discipline that will give you best chance of validation. I know there isn't lots of information out there about the actual job however you should have done enough research into the job to probably have a preference on first day. As has been stated though, everyone looks to the big places, ie Heathrow Tower, and that just aint gonna happen for many. The negativity you mention is a problem though, and shows that its all through NATS at most levels. I don't totally agree with the attitude brought into training (from both sides), telling you every hurdle you can fail on, and the various courses failure can take. How about a little 'this is how we are going to validate you' like BA's flying training - start off like you mean to carry on, POSITIVE. But this is NATS.......
Teaching all 3 disciplines is far too wasteful of both time and money, its never going to happen again. Having a 'choice' isn't necessarily a good thing, the instructors could probably place you well following a few weeks watching your skills and move you into a discipline that will give you best chance of validation. I know there isn't lots of information out there about the actual job however you should have done enough research into the job to probably have a preference on first day. As has been stated though, everyone looks to the big places, ie Heathrow Tower, and that just aint gonna happen for many. The negativity you mention is a problem though, and shows that its all through NATS at most levels. I don't totally agree with the attitude brought into training (from both sides), telling you every hurdle you can fail on, and the various courses failure can take. How about a little 'this is how we are going to validate you' like BA's flying training - start off like you mean to carry on, POSITIVE. But this is NATS.......
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Thought I would dig this one out and see if there's any news.
So... whats the latest news on LACC training success? Things getting any better yet? Or should we all be bidding elsewhere if we want to validate first time?
So... whats the latest news on LACC training success? Things getting any better yet? Or should we all be bidding elsewhere if we want to validate first time?
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Southampton
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Validation rates have improved over the last couple of months and will continue to do so while the T & Ds from last winters SVCs get through their boards.
I suspect we will go through this sort of debate every Autumn.
With SVCs run through the winter season, all the level 4 & 5 checks tend to arrive around the same time. At that point there is a run of failures and the training looks real bad but a few months later the remaining students validate and the figures improve again.
By the end of February we'll have had something like 27 boards.
If you are a capable student with a good attitude training at LACC should hold no great fears for you. The Radar task is easier to learn than it ever was at LATCC, but busier, and getting more so. The Planner task can be learnt quite quickly but only perfected with practice. The key to both is experience - while you don't have it make use of other peoples, listen to what they tell you and keep an open mind.
The training Section and Management are seriously looking at dual sector validations and that will only improve your chances. Following the debacle of the last CLN SVC, the Pre SVC training has been formalised, which, if nothing else, shows the training section is willing to fix some of the identified problems, even if they're not of their own making.
Validating at LACC will never be easy. The job isn't easy once you pass the board either.
I suspect we will go through this sort of debate every Autumn.
With SVCs run through the winter season, all the level 4 & 5 checks tend to arrive around the same time. At that point there is a run of failures and the training looks real bad but a few months later the remaining students validate and the figures improve again.
By the end of February we'll have had something like 27 boards.
If you are a capable student with a good attitude training at LACC should hold no great fears for you. The Radar task is easier to learn than it ever was at LATCC, but busier, and getting more so. The Planner task can be learnt quite quickly but only perfected with practice. The key to both is experience - while you don't have it make use of other peoples, listen to what they tell you and keep an open mind.
The training Section and Management are seriously looking at dual sector validations and that will only improve your chances. Following the debacle of the last CLN SVC, the Pre SVC training has been formalised, which, if nothing else, shows the training section is willing to fix some of the identified problems, even if they're not of their own making.
Validating at LACC will never be easy. The job isn't easy once you pass the board either.
