NATS September Starters
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NATS September Starters
G'day one and all.
I thought it was time to start a new thread to collate rumor and information about/for those Trainee Air Traffic Controllers who think they might be starting in Bournemouth September2005.
According to an email from back in June I'm provisionally on this course and now with a Class 1 (ATCO) medical certificate to my name I'm hoping this means I'll be down there next month. However, as anyone who reads this forum regularly can gather NATS is sparse with the details up until the last minute and pestering HR is something best done once you have a signed contract or better still a valid licence. With that in mind here's over to the PPRune ATC community for some constructive rumor and information sharing. Here's my chronology:
First applied Aug 2003 - got to interview stage early 2004, HR interviewer had a broken foot or something and so missed out on that part and subsequently told I'd not got through. Reapplied Sept 2004, tests Jan 2005, interviews (incl. HR) Feb 2005, told sucessful Mar 2005, Medical Apr 2005, certified Jun 2005...and now waiting to start the best job in the world!!
and what I have gathered from other posts:
- The September course will most likely be for Area and Airports at a ratio of 4:1. Which discipline is not predetermined
- The June course was delayed from the beginning of the month and started June 27th
- The June course initial 13 weeks ends on Sept 26th when the next one will likely start.
- Most of the June people were given one months notice
- There are round about 30 people on any one course
- The induction week takes place at a conference centre called New place in Hampshire see: http://www.initialstyle.co.uk/venues/index.php?venue=44
Other useful threads:
June/September Courses - http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...hreadid=158825
DEC 05 Start - http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...hreadid=181438
Pay at ATC college(Particularly for Dances with Boffins's notes on course structure) - http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...hreadid=167795
Maybe someone like Dances with Boffins could confirm what's happening with course 205 (Sept)?? and when we might get confirmation
In the mean time lets use this thread to bring all us September expectees together. I'm 24 and from a mainly IT background. Originally from the North West, I went to uni in London and stayed there for a few years. I've spent a few months this year dispatching at EGGP before moving down to Warwickshire to live with my fiancee and temp till this thing kicks off.
OB1
I thought it was time to start a new thread to collate rumor and information about/for those Trainee Air Traffic Controllers who think they might be starting in Bournemouth September2005.
According to an email from back in June I'm provisionally on this course and now with a Class 1 (ATCO) medical certificate to my name I'm hoping this means I'll be down there next month. However, as anyone who reads this forum regularly can gather NATS is sparse with the details up until the last minute and pestering HR is something best done once you have a signed contract or better still a valid licence. With that in mind here's over to the PPRune ATC community for some constructive rumor and information sharing. Here's my chronology:
First applied Aug 2003 - got to interview stage early 2004, HR interviewer had a broken foot or something and so missed out on that part and subsequently told I'd not got through. Reapplied Sept 2004, tests Jan 2005, interviews (incl. HR) Feb 2005, told sucessful Mar 2005, Medical Apr 2005, certified Jun 2005...and now waiting to start the best job in the world!!
and what I have gathered from other posts:
- The September course will most likely be for Area and Airports at a ratio of 4:1. Which discipline is not predetermined
- The June course was delayed from the beginning of the month and started June 27th
- The June course initial 13 weeks ends on Sept 26th when the next one will likely start.
- Most of the June people were given one months notice
- There are round about 30 people on any one course
- The induction week takes place at a conference centre called New place in Hampshire see: http://www.initialstyle.co.uk/venues/index.php?venue=44
Other useful threads:
June/September Courses - http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...hreadid=158825
DEC 05 Start - http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...hreadid=181438
Pay at ATC college(Particularly for Dances with Boffins's notes on course structure) - http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...hreadid=167795
Maybe someone like Dances with Boffins could confirm what's happening with course 205 (Sept)?? and when we might get confirmation
In the mean time lets use this thread to bring all us September expectees together. I'm 24 and from a mainly IT background. Originally from the North West, I went to uni in London and stayed there for a few years. I've spent a few months this year dispatching at EGGP before moving down to Warwickshire to live with my fiancee and temp till this thing kicks off.
OB1
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God... HR really lets the side down.
Don't imagine it's like that at front-line units, where you'll meet some REAL professionals wearing headsets.
Good luck one and all..... wish I was starting again!
Don't imagine it's like that at front-line units, where you'll meet some REAL professionals wearing headsets.
Good luck one and all..... wish I was starting again!
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Hey OB1,
Thanks for the excellent & very informative post.
I too am due to start provisionally on the September Course. I applied for the position Feb 2004, sat aptitude tests in April 04, sat interviews in November 04 and had medical in Jan of this year.
I have a funny feeling though that I was due to start on the June Course. It seems that HR managed to not receive my Class 1 medical confirmation......... and didn't do anything about it until a month ago. I had to make numerous phone calls to get it sorted out myself, else who knows whether I would be starting at all.
Bit of info on myself. I'm 24 also & from a Retail Background. Sounds like I'm not to far from you as I live in Warwickshire too. I didn't go to Uni so I’m really looking forward to getting away from home and meeting some cracking people.
I look forward to meeting all on the course and getting ready to knuckle down for the inevitable barrage of work that is to come.
Regards, V801
P.S. I'm on MSN so if anyone wants to get in touch just PM me.
Thanks for the excellent & very informative post.
I too am due to start provisionally on the September Course. I applied for the position Feb 2004, sat aptitude tests in April 04, sat interviews in November 04 and had medical in Jan of this year.
I have a funny feeling though that I was due to start on the June Course. It seems that HR managed to not receive my Class 1 medical confirmation......... and didn't do anything about it until a month ago. I had to make numerous phone calls to get it sorted out myself, else who knows whether I would be starting at all.
Bit of info on myself. I'm 24 also & from a Retail Background. Sounds like I'm not to far from you as I live in Warwickshire too. I didn't go to Uni so I’m really looking forward to getting away from home and meeting some cracking people.
I look forward to meeting all on the course and getting ready to knuckle down for the inevitable barrage of work that is to come.
Regards, V801
P.S. I'm on MSN so if anyone wants to get in touch just PM me.
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If any September starters need info about the Bournemouth area, or the College itself, please feel free to drop me a PM.
Edited cos I couldnt even spell my home town properly!
Edited cos I couldnt even spell my home town properly!
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Confirmation
NATS HR seem to have got a grip this time round! The day after my long post above - a confirmation letter and contract finds its way through the post. 
I'ts official - Sept 26th course 205 will start and I'm on it. That's a whole 6 weeks warning!!
Much of what I posted above appears to be confirmed by the letter - though I will have to wait for communication from the college re: specifics of the course and its timetable of events.
HD - I'm now really looking forward to meeting those real proffessionals.
Vector801 & Fletchers left boot - I'll be in touch no doubt!
Good luck to those still expecting, looks like you might know more in the next few days. It would be good to know if there are more PPruners out there who'll be joining me!
I'ts official - Sept 26th course 205 will start and I'm on it. That's a whole 6 weeks warning!!
Much of what I posted above appears to be confirmed by the letter - though I will have to wait for communication from the college re: specifics of the course and its timetable of events.
HD - I'm now really looking forward to meeting those real proffessionals.
Vector801 & Fletchers left boot - I'll be in touch no doubt!
Good luck to those still expecting, looks like you might know more in the next few days. It would be good to know if there are more PPruners out there who'll be joining me!
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Hi all,
I'm also due to start on the September course. I applied way back in late 2003 and I was due to start on the June course but I requested to be put on the Sept course so I could "clean up" at work (in terms of some free shares )
Officially handed my notice in to my current employer last week and then I just found out (from chasing the start date) the x-ray part of my medical has gone AWOL so I'm currently having to get a copy off my doctor before I can get final confirmation. Not worried about this yet although my parents are worried that come 26th Sept I will be signing-up at the job centre instead
I'm 27, went to Hull uni to do engineering and spent the last 5 years writing software for a telecoms company in Newbury (I'm sure anyone who's been to Newbury can work out which one).
Really can't wait to start, been counting down the days with a desktop countdown clock for almost a year now...
Currently ETA: 41 days 16 hours 7 minutes and 45 seconds
Look forward to meeting you all.
I'm also due to start on the September course. I applied way back in late 2003 and I was due to start on the June course but I requested to be put on the Sept course so I could "clean up" at work (in terms of some free shares
)Officially handed my notice in to my current employer last week and then I just found out (from chasing the start date) the x-ray part of my medical has gone AWOL so I'm currently having to get a copy off my doctor before I can get final confirmation. Not worried about this yet although my parents are worried that come 26th Sept I will be signing-up at the job centre instead
I'm 27, went to Hull uni to do engineering and spent the last 5 years writing software for a telecoms company in Newbury (I'm sure anyone who's been to Newbury can work out which one).
Really can't wait to start, been counting down the days with a desktop countdown clock for almost a year now...
Currently ETA: 41 days 16 hours 7 minutes and 45 seconds
Look forward to meeting you all.
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One of the managers here warned me off letting too much information out too early as things got a bit hectic around the start of the June course, hence the lack of communication since.
If you have specific questions, post or PM me and I'll ask him to get the official CATC position. He gets it straight from the horse.
As it stands at the moment, all statements at the top of the thread are good.
Go back to your families and prepare for lift-off.....
DWB
If you have specific questions, post or PM me and I'll ask him to get the official CATC position. He gets it straight from the horse.
As it stands at the moment, all statements at the top of the thread are good.
Go back to your families and prepare for lift-off.....
DWB
Join Date: Mar 2002
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Except...has the induction gone back to New Place? I thought they had recently changed the venue i.e. two courses ago!
Any questions about college life, feel free to ask..plenty of us students about to offer our oppinions!
Any questions about college life, feel free to ask..plenty of us students about to offer our oppinions!
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Quick note from me just to say hello to the people above starting on the September course. I've also recently had confirmation come thru and so should be seeing you guys n girls then.
I'm in the middle of doing some travelling at the moment (thought I'd take the opportunity to sack off my previous job a little early and see some of the world) so excuse the short email.
But by way of a short intro: i'm 25, from Birmingham and after an engineering degree found myself in recruitment....don't ask me why, I still to this day don't know and we've all got our dark past!!! Definitely looking forward to the end of Sept though!!!
Quick question: Have you lot already sorted out accommodation etc? I don't return until mid september so any help or advice on this subject would be appreciated.
See you all in a few weeks!!
I'm in the middle of doing some travelling at the moment (thought I'd take the opportunity to sack off my previous job a little early and see some of the world) so excuse the short email.
But by way of a short intro: i'm 25, from Birmingham and after an engineering degree found myself in recruitment....don't ask me why, I still to this day don't know and we've all got our dark past!!! Definitely looking forward to the end of Sept though!!!
Quick question: Have you lot already sorted out accommodation etc? I don't return until mid september so any help or advice on this subject would be appreciated.
See you all in a few weeks!!
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I've got a quick question.
I passed the interview stage and was told on June 30th. I then did my medical on the 12th August and the doctor said I would pass, so am now just waiting the certificate.
Personnel have told me they could pencil me in for the Sept 26th and send me a contract but it would all be hanging in the balance until the certificate came through as I would be unable to start the course if my certificate didn't come through in time!!
For me to start on the 26th I need to hand in my notice on the 25th August, so not long now!!
Roughly how long did everyones certificates take to come through??
Thanks in advance!!
I passed the interview stage and was told on June 30th. I then did my medical on the 12th August and the doctor said I would pass, so am now just waiting the certificate.
Personnel have told me they could pencil me in for the Sept 26th and send me a contract but it would all be hanging in the balance until the certificate came through as I would be unable to start the course if my certificate didn't come through in time!!
For me to start on the 26th I need to hand in my notice on the 25th August, so not long now!!
Roughly how long did everyones certificates take to come through??
Thanks in advance!!
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MrsC, best thing to do would be to ring the medical people at Gatwick and explain the situation to them and find out when your certificate will be issued they will be able to give you an idea of whether or not it will come through in time and gives you the opportunity to get pencilled in for September
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Good Afternoon PPRuNers
Im also on course 205 (provisionally of course)
Seems a bit thin on the ground at the moment.
No doubt more 'lambs to the slaughter' will pop out of the woodwork as 26th September looms.
Just hoping we dont experience the same delay issues as the folkes on the June course......(hows the course going guys? any tips/pointers/advice for the newbies?)
Mrs C - my medical cert took about 2 weeks to arrive so you might just scrape through. did you call them ?
Finetime - Going to leave the small matter of accomodation until the induction week. See what the general consensus is then.
Garam, Vector801, OB1ChrisOB - looking forward to it !!!
See you soon
Phlex
Im also on course 205 (provisionally of course)
Seems a bit thin on the ground at the moment.
No doubt more 'lambs to the slaughter' will pop out of the woodwork as 26th September looms.
Just hoping we dont experience the same delay issues as the folkes on the June course......(hows the course going guys? any tips/pointers/advice for the newbies?)
Mrs C - my medical cert took about 2 weeks to arrive so you might just scrape through. did you call them ?
Finetime - Going to leave the small matter of accomodation until the induction week. See what the general consensus is then.
Garam, Vector801, OB1ChrisOB - looking forward to it !!!
See you soon
Phlex
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The college really sucks.
Well compared to life as a valid controller anyway
You should all now be looking forward to a few good pi**ups in Bournemouth.
P.S. They now have a Spearmint Rhino as well!!!!
Well compared to life as a valid controller anyway
You should all now be looking forward to a few good pi**ups in Bournemouth.
P.S. They now have a Spearmint Rhino as well!!!!
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I am on course 205 as well!!
Looking forward to it.
I first applied in Feb 2003 so I have waited a long time!
I am 26. My background consists of a degree in engineering and then 6 years in retail.
I am a bit worried about accommodation. Any suggestions?
See you all soon.
Looking forward to it.
I first applied in Feb 2003 so I have waited a long time!
I am 26. My background consists of a degree in engineering and then 6 years in retail.
I am a bit worried about accommodation. Any suggestions?
See you all soon.
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Hello!!
I am another one on course 205 and cant wait to get started at last!! First applied Apr 2004, selection tests Jul 2004 then interviews in Sept 2004, been waiting to start since.
I am currently a dispatcher at EGCC, been here 6 1/2 yrs. Am originally from Wales, so I am fully prepared for the sheep jokes for the first few weeks down in bournemouth as been living up north for last few years and think I've heard them all by now. Any other fellow taffy's on course 205???
Has anyone recieved the lisits with recomended accomodation from HR yet? Not really decided how to go round it all yet.
So thats my introduction to my new coursemates, look forward to meeting you all end of sept.
Taffy1
I am another one on course 205 and cant wait to get started at last!! First applied Apr 2004, selection tests Jul 2004 then interviews in Sept 2004, been waiting to start since.
I am currently a dispatcher at EGCC, been here 6 1/2 yrs. Am originally from Wales, so I am fully prepared for the sheep jokes for the first few weeks down in bournemouth as been living up north for last few years and think I've heard them all by now. Any other fellow taffy's on course 205???
Has anyone recieved the lisits with recomended accomodation from HR yet? Not really decided how to go round it all yet.
So thats my introduction to my new coursemates, look forward to meeting you all end of sept.
Taffy1
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Hi I'm on course 204 at the college at the moment, A Note for Mrs C, Ref The medical, One of the guys on our course started without a medical and didn't get it until 6 weeks into the course, I Don't think Nats will let this happen again, so keep on medical dept back until you get that certificate, call them every other day make sure they are doing something about it!!
If any of you have any questions feel free to ask, i will do my best to answer them, probably best to PM rather than just post on here though!
Hope you are all getting excited now, and getting plenty of rest before starting because you will need it!
If any of you have any questions feel free to ask, i will do my best to answer them, probably best to PM rather than just post on here though!
Hope you are all getting excited now, and getting plenty of rest before starting because you will need it!
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Hello everybody, I too am on the September course (all being well!)
I had a call from NATS HR today to ask if I wanted to join the 26/09 course. Provisionally I had been on this course anyway, but then I was put back to December, and now brought forward to September again!!
Regarding the medical, I too have experienced delays in being cleared. My chest x-ray report went missing between the hospital and the medical dept., but with a few phone calls to HR, the Med Dept and the hospital, I managed to get it sorted fairly painlessly. I still haven't received my certificate though, but HR tell me that all is well because the info has been sent to them now.
A bit about myself then - I am 26, currently living in Bedfordshire. Spent 6 dull years in financial services (pensions to be exact), before finally applying to NATS last year. Looking forward to meeting everyone in a month's time!
As for accommodation, I have read mixed opinions on PPRUNE. Many people suggest B&B's rather than fixed term rentals due to the unpredictablility of the course, but I am considering a house share as this seems to be pretty flexible for not much money. If anyone else is considering this, try http://uk.easyroommate.com.
See you all soon!
PS I used to live in Lancashire - seems to be a few from the NW!
I had a call from NATS HR today to ask if I wanted to join the 26/09 course. Provisionally I had been on this course anyway, but then I was put back to December, and now brought forward to September again!!
Regarding the medical, I too have experienced delays in being cleared. My chest x-ray report went missing between the hospital and the medical dept., but with a few phone calls to HR, the Med Dept and the hospital, I managed to get it sorted fairly painlessly. I still haven't received my certificate though, but HR tell me that all is well because the info has been sent to them now.
A bit about myself then - I am 26, currently living in Bedfordshire. Spent 6 dull years in financial services (pensions to be exact), before finally applying to NATS last year. Looking forward to meeting everyone in a month's time!
As for accommodation, I have read mixed opinions on PPRUNE. Many people suggest B&B's rather than fixed term rentals due to the unpredictablility of the course, but I am considering a house share as this seems to be pretty flexible for not much money. If anyone else is considering this, try http://uk.easyroommate.com.
See you all soon!
PS I used to live in Lancashire - seems to be a few from the NW!
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Hi all,
I am on the September course too...
I'm 25, currently living in Berkshire, although grew up in Southampton, so I know the area moderatly well.
Graduated from university with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and have worked for an aerospace manufacturing company ever since.
Can't wait to change.
Anyone else think this thread is starting to resemble a lonely hearts page?
See you all in a month!
J
I am on the September course too...
I'm 25, currently living in Berkshire, although grew up in Southampton, so I know the area moderatly well.
Graduated from university with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and have worked for an aerospace manufacturing company ever since.
Can't wait to change.
Anyone else think this thread is starting to resemble a lonely hearts page?
See you all in a month!
J