NATS career structure
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Rich, I know it was a serious question but.....
thanks for giving me the biggest laugh that I've had in ages 
Okay, I'll give you the proper answer now I've stopped giggling. For the vast majority of ATCOs within NATS there is no career development structure whatsoever, nor has there ever been. All that "investors in people" and all the other buzz word crap is for others, not the operational fraternity. Once an ATCO, that's about it. You might get the odd unit move or two (or lots more in my case
), but as I say, thats about it.
Now, I'm not being negative. I still very much enjoy being an operational controller and have no desire to spend time tied to a desk or getting to a destination. Being an ATCO is my career, so I'm a happy bunny.
How to put the next bit? Over the years I have seen "ATCOs" who really wanted to be managers. Generally they couldn't get their headsets off quick enough to join the suits and their desks. These people are not held in high esteem by their ex colleagues, though I doubt very much wether they realise it at all.
My opinion. Stick to being "just" an ATCO. Forget any pretentions about career structures.
Rgds BEX
please explain the career development structure within NATS
Okay, I'll give you the proper answer now I've stopped giggling. For the vast majority of ATCOs within NATS there is no career development structure whatsoever, nor has there ever been. All that "investors in people" and all the other buzz word crap is for others, not the operational fraternity. Once an ATCO, that's about it. You might get the odd unit move or two (or lots more in my case
), but as I say, thats about it.Now, I'm not being negative. I still very much enjoy being an operational controller and have no desire to spend time tied to a desk or getting to a destination. Being an ATCO is my career, so I'm a happy bunny.
How to put the next bit? Over the years I have seen "ATCOs" who really wanted to be managers. Generally they couldn't get their headsets off quick enough to join the suits and their desks. These people are not held in high esteem by their ex colleagues, though I doubt very much wether they realise it at all.
My opinion. Stick to being "just" an ATCO. Forget any pretentions about career structures.
Rgds BEX
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Glad to be of help
Are there any promotion opportunities while still keeping a headset on? Like more senior controlling positions. Or does a new ATCO do the same job at the same level throughout the career?
The way you answered it sounds more like a job than a career.
Are there any promotion opportunities while still keeping a headset on? Like more senior controlling positions. Or does a new ATCO do the same job at the same level throughout the career?
The way you answered it sounds more like a job than a career.
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After a few years you might become an instructor, training those who arrive from the college. Then depending on the unit, you might become a supervisor, or perhaps an examiner.
niknak
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GR
Despite the fact that NATS pay better than anyone else in the UK, and their terms and conditions, pensions and working patterns are all better than anyone else in the UK, some of their atco's have an amazing ability to moan like **** about how badly done to they are. But it doesn't say that on the NATS web site, which is where you'll find the information you require.
Career structure's within ATC, certainly within the UK, are almost what you want to make of it.
Get a few years experience under your belt, keep your ear to the ground, do extraneous duties such as assisting with ATC related projects or just make it plain that you are ambitious, and you'll find that doors open and the opportunities will be there.
However, don't underestimate the level of workload required, or the fact that once you are on that ladder, there will always be someone behind you with the same ambition.
Some find it comes naturally - some don't and fall back to day to day controlling.
There are many of us (including me and possibly Bex'
) who just enjoy being atco's, doing the job to the best of our ability, getting paid and looking forward to our days off.
I reckon that if you have to work, this is the best job going, what you do with it is up to you.
Despite the fact that NATS pay better than anyone else in the UK, and their terms and conditions, pensions and working patterns are all better than anyone else in the UK, some of their atco's have an amazing ability to moan like **** about how badly done to they are. But it doesn't say that on the NATS web site, which is where you'll find the information you require.
Career structure's within ATC, certainly within the UK, are almost what you want to make of it.
Get a few years experience under your belt, keep your ear to the ground, do extraneous duties such as assisting with ATC related projects or just make it plain that you are ambitious, and you'll find that doors open and the opportunities will be there.
However, don't underestimate the level of workload required, or the fact that once you are on that ladder, there will always be someone behind you with the same ambition.
Some find it comes naturally - some don't and fall back to day to day controlling.
There are many of us (including me and possibly Bex'
) who just enjoy being atco's, doing the job to the best of our ability, getting paid and looking forward to our days off.I reckon that if you have to work, this is the best job going, what you do with it is up to you.
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The way you answered it sounds more like a job than a career.
I would never describe ATC as just a job, it isn't however one where many progress beyond a jobbing ATCO but then that is was what most of us simply wish to be.
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NATS + career? Depends what cereal packet coupons you cut out. In IBM 9020 language: "Does not merge"......" Fix not on route"........"too few fields"......"Invalid fix". Cynic, or what? Thanks. This thread has given me a good laugh during year 39. Now, where's me 'eadset?
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Of course, if you think you have the looks of a movie star, you might appear in a National Geographic TV documentary programme!!!!
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yes, I did notice that there was a direct relationship between Capt. Spunkfarter disappearing from these boards and a certain media friendly ATCO being propelled up the corporate ladder!
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Gonzo
"Of course, if you think you have the looks of a movie star, you might appear in a National Geographic TV documentary programme!!!!"
And then, following the 'Famous for 15 Minutes' stint, the inevitable and unstoppable slide into Op..oblivion, and the total loss of any Unit 'street cred' once held.
Still, I suppose it pays the bills...........
and that's about all it does
"Of course, if you think you have the looks of a movie star, you might appear in a National Geographic TV documentary programme!!!!"
And then, following the 'Famous for 15 Minutes' stint, the inevitable and unstoppable slide into Op..oblivion, and the total loss of any Unit 'street cred' once held.
Still, I suppose it pays the bills...........
and that's about all it does
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Careers
Looks like things haven't changed a great deal. "Career" ? Depends what you mean. NATS trains and employs people to be ATCOs. Some will become Training Officers, College Instructors, assist with projects etc. Some will rise to the giddy heights of Watch Managers / Supervisors and a few will become Manager ATC of a Unit. That's about it. The very senior management levels of the company tend to be filled by people brought in from outside though, in the past, there were one or two former ATCOs amongst them. Mr Barron is the latest example brought in from outside. If your true ambition lies in administration, then ATC is not the right choice of career for you.
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Spunky
Methinks that it is difficult to check out when you languish in an empty, cold, lonely house apart from some Kleenex and soggy old Cheerios, yet when you log on here you appear to be a bronzed Adonis.
Perchance the Funkraum beckons for this one...?
P7
Methinks that it is difficult to check out when you languish in an empty, cold, lonely house apart from some Kleenex and soggy old Cheerios, yet when you log on here you appear to be a bronzed Adonis.
Perchance the Funkraum beckons for this one...?
P7
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Peatair
You are 'kin joking aren't you? One or two ATCOs in senior positions? how about all senior positions until a certain Mr Everitt turned up....
Its interesting to see no real input from the ATSA fraternity on this one.. oh yeah, thats because there really is no career structure for ATSAs. its only been comparatively recently that they trusted ASTSAs enough to manage simulators. Once you reach the giddy heights of ATSA4 there is pretty much NO progression within the ATC discipline. All your bosses will be ATCOs who all worked with each other at other units in the past.
Bitter? me? Good God yes, but by God I'm pleased to be out, and working in an environment where your boss actually says things like "thank you". Shocked me that one....
The very senior management levels of the company tend to be filled by people brought in from outside though, in the past, there were one or two former ATCOs amongst them
Its interesting to see no real input from the ATSA fraternity on this one.. oh yeah, thats because there really is no career structure for ATSAs. its only been comparatively recently that they trusted ASTSAs enough to manage simulators. Once you reach the giddy heights of ATSA4 there is pretty much NO progression within the ATC discipline. All your bosses will be ATCOs who all worked with each other at other units in the past.
Bitter? me? Good God yes, but by God I'm pleased to be out, and working in an environment where your boss actually says things like "thank you". Shocked me that one....