Working Abroad in ATC
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Working Abroad in ATC
Can anyone offer some advice about how easy it is for a UK ATC Licence holder to get a job outside the UK? Are our licences valid and just require a short conversion course? Do we have to do the full course again for some countries but not others? In particular, if anyone has any information on Spanish regulations, I'd be very grateful if you could email me.
It is at the moment only a curiosity thing - it's something I would love to do someday, but how soon depends on a number of domestic factors.
Cheers,
HD
It is at the moment only a curiosity thing - it's something I would love to do someday, but how soon depends on a number of domestic factors.
Cheers,
HD
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Re: Working Abroad in ATC
If you have a Spanish university degree and are a fluent speaker, you are in with a chance.
Otherwise, not at the moment. There is an ex NATS controller working for AENA in Madrid who is fluent Spanish speaking, has a Spanish wife, and a UK ATCO licence, but won't be looked at for a controllers job because of the education requirement (the Spanish degree). So he works in an office.
Otherwise, not at the moment. There is an ex NATS controller working for AENA in Madrid who is fluent Spanish speaking, has a Spanish wife, and a UK ATCO licence, but won't be looked at for a controllers job because of the education requirement (the Spanish degree). So he works in an office.
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Re: Working Abroad in ATC
Thanks Radar - do you know if it is a specific level of degree they look for?
I am looking now, but if anyone knows of any home study courses that would suffice then I'd certainly be interested.
I am looking now, but if anyone knows of any home study courses that would suffice then I'd certainly be interested.
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Re: Working Abroad in ATC
Looking at the AENA website and with my smattering of Spanish (so please check officially if you can) -
You must possess a university degree in engineering, law, or architectural subjects or posses a licensed equivalent qualification in those areas, or have completed the first complete cycle (year ?) of an advanced University course (Postgrad maybe) with no subject specified.
For both Spanish and foreign qualifications, the qualification must be one recognised and accredited by the Spanish Ministry for Education, Culture and Sport as applicable to employment as an ATCO.
Good luck !!!!
You must possess a university degree in engineering, law, or architectural subjects or posses a licensed equivalent qualification in those areas, or have completed the first complete cycle (year ?) of an advanced University course (Postgrad maybe) with no subject specified.
For both Spanish and foreign qualifications, the qualification must be one recognised and accredited by the Spanish Ministry for Education, Culture and Sport as applicable to employment as an ATCO.
Good luck !!!!
Last edited by PPRuNe Radar; 13th Jan 2006 at 23:22.
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Re: Working Abroad in ATC
Was also possibly hoping to move to Spain in a few years time...
heard those guys get paid really well!
Busy learning my spanish, got an EU passport and a 3 year I.T. Diploma (and of course my TWR/APP Radar) but alas it doesnt look like it will happen.
I also heard they only take on Spanish citizens (EU dont count)???
Maybe rules will change in a few years
heard those guys get paid really well!
Busy learning my spanish, got an EU passport and a 3 year I.T. Diploma (and of course my TWR/APP Radar) but alas it doesnt look like it will happen.
I also heard they only take on Spanish citizens (EU dont count)???
Maybe rules will change in a few years
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Re: Working Abroad in ATC
Hi HeathrowDictator and ASD!
I'm a student in Senasa, Aena's ATCO school.
The requirements are:
1) Fluent spanish and english
2) A 3-year university career (what you would call a Bachelor, I guess) or the first 3 years of a 4/5-year career. In both cases your degree must be recognised by the Ministry of Education. Any career would do. The degrees in my class are pretty assorted, ranging from aeronautical engineer to psychology or bussines and finance.
If you meet these requirements you can try the selection process. The amount of candidates (close to 8000 in 2004) make it very difficult to succeed, considering there were only 130 places offered last time.
But, hey! it's not impossible! Maybe in a few years time you can defreeze your ass here in sunny Spain!!
BTW, the selection process is open for all EU nationals and a new one is due in a few months.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
I'm a student in Senasa, Aena's ATCO school.
The requirements are:
1) Fluent spanish and english
2) A 3-year university career (what you would call a Bachelor, I guess) or the first 3 years of a 4/5-year career. In both cases your degree must be recognised by the Ministry of Education. Any career would do. The degrees in my class are pretty assorted, ranging from aeronautical engineer to psychology or bussines and finance.
If you meet these requirements you can try the selection process. The amount of candidates (close to 8000 in 2004) make it very difficult to succeed, considering there were only 130 places offered last time.
But, hey! it's not impossible! Maybe in a few years time you can defreeze your ass here in sunny Spain!!
BTW, the selection process is open for all EU nationals and a new one is due in a few months.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
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Hi there
Thx for the reply
Surely there are different requirements for those already qualified and have experience as ATC? Would we still have to go through the same selection process with those who have never been an ATC before?
I am from sunny South Africa 
Thx for the reply
If you meet these requirements you can try the selection process. The amount of candidates (close to 8000 in 2004) make it very difficult to succeed, considering there were only 130 places offered last time.
Maybe in a few years time you can defreeze your ass here in sunny Spain!!
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Hi ASD,
I'm afraid right now there's no other way to get in.
Maybe in the future they will allocate some places for qualified ATCO and prepare an specific selection process and training, but I guess the union (very powerful here in Spain) wouldn't be too happy about it.
Cheers and enjoy your summer!!
I'm afraid right now there's no other way to get in.
Maybe in the future they will allocate some places for qualified ATCO and prepare an specific selection process and training, but I guess the union (very powerful here in Spain) wouldn't be too happy about it.
Cheers and enjoy your summer!!
