NATS interview process

[HeaVn]

Hi there,

I've been reading the forum for quiet a long time now, i was about to apply when they closed the application process...
Nothing to do but waiting, like the majority of you i guess...
I think i agree with some people here, they wouldn't keep us waiting if they knew they wouldn't open the process soon...
I just try to be positive, it's really something i want to do and it's killing me being stuck here.
I hope i can meet you soon guys, as you seem to be all friendly.
A big thanks to all of you for all the information given, really useful!

[Rage]

Personally, I believe that NATS knows perfectly well about when they'll be re-opening. At least the senior one's anyway. I get the impression they are just kinda playing around and giving us crap. All these vague dates they've been giving us for well over the past year they've done on purpose. Just keeping us on hold.

LOL.
NATS 'senior' management and HR don't know what's going on tomorrow, let alone next week. They really aren't intentionally messing you around, they genuinely don't have a clue

[Morry1988]

All of us who have waited on this interview deserve a place at the college. & hopefully we all get through the interview and get a place. But if we don't are NATS gonna take this wait into consideration before they let someone re-apply. I've already waited 6 months on this interview and now they're asking us to wait another 3. that'll be 9 months of my life wasted waiting on this career. And if I were unfortunate enough to fail the interview it would be another 12

[ZOOKER]

Morry,
if it makes you feel better, I waited four-and-a-half years.

[Sheps]

if it makes you feel better, I waited four-and-a-half years.

Ditto! We can't be faulted on patience hey?

Anyway, for those who do not pass a stage and wish to reapply, I understand that you can do so when a period of 12 months has elapsed since you applied rather than 12 months since the stage you didn't pass. I'm sure I'll be corrected if this is not the case...

[sambatc]

Sheps - that is indeed the case, and is why I was eagerly awaiting 4th October 2011

~5 months later...and still waiting to reapply. Serves me right for not preparing properly for my stage 3 though eh

[MjaM]

Hi guys,

I'm wondering which of the travel expenses does NATS cover? It states clearly on the Expense form, that they only cover costs of travelling in the UK and only if the expense is over 50pounds. But in the email from Recruitment they said that they will cover ALL travel costs (reasonable amount) to attend the event. Does this mean that they also cover the plane ticket to the UK? I mean the expense form that I received is meant for the 3th stage and/or medical. But I'm attending the Pre-induction day, so maybe they cover more of the expenses for this later event? Don't want to bother the recruitment people at NATS as I don't want to appear greedy (which I'm not, I just don't want to miss an opportunity to get reimbursed a part of the ever growing costs to attend different events).

Thanks

[PORKUS GRUNTUS]

Course 231

Hi all, totally new to this so not sure I'm even commenting on correct thread! For anyone on trainee atco course 231 starting end of April, I've put a little group on Facebook, thought it might help us to get to know each other before the course starts! So if you go on facebook & just search for nats course 231 you should find it! Thanks! & sorry to those who are still waiting for courses!

[Crazy Voyager]

I looked for it now but can't find it, how ever I won't be on that I'll be on 232 (at least that's HR's plan). I tried to create a group for 232 now but I have to add in people in it and since I don't know anyone on facebook who will be in it I can't create the group...

But if anyone else in here who will be on course 232 and use both PPrune and facebook let me know and we can get a group started

[PORKUS GRUNTUS]

Yeah I also had that problem, but a friend of mine is starting at the same time on a different course, so I just stuck him on there! Confused as to why it didn't pop up on your search though.. the email is [email protected] if that helps

[Crazy Voyager]

Well it doesn't really affect me as I won't be on the group, but for some reason I can't seem to find it. The reason for not finding it I don't know though.

[CAVOKAY7]

General Information!

Hello there, could someone please advise if there are any private ATCO schools within the UK & if so, do I have the same chances to get a job as with NATS? Thanks a lot in advance.

[whitelighter]

Yes there are.

And no you dont.

NATS train NATS staff and (assuming you pass) you are guranteed a job after training. The other colleges charge you for training and then you have to go find a job - and its worth noting NATS wont take you - so at best you'll probably start as an ATSA.

Id think long and hard before sinking £000's into a privatly obtained license

[tony_231]

Hi PORKUS GRUNTUS!
I've just sent you a PM. I'm also in course 231 .... good to know there's life out there

[PORKUS GRUNTUS]

nats course 231

Anyone else on nats course 231 at the end of April, could you private message me, & I'll give you the details of the facebook group.

Thanks!!

[ZOOKER]

We were on "39 Course", if that helps.

Good luck PORKUS, to you and all your course-mates. It's hard work, you'll have good days and bad days, have fun, and enjoy it.

[PORKUS GRUNTUS]

Thanks ZOOKER! A lot of hard work ahead me thinks!!

[Sheps]

Course 232

I may be jumping the gun, because I, like Crazy Voyager, am only provisionally allocated to course 232 (as I was for 231), but there is now a Facebook group for it. Search for 'NATS Course 232' and shout if you want to join.

If I'm put off again until a later course I suppose I'l just have to leave the group... boo hoo *sniff* ... same goes for anyone else.

:-D

[MarkB1978]

Hi all, Just joined up, i took my stage one at Bournemouth a couple of years back, passed the first 2 exams but really wasnt prepared for the second half so to get up to speed I bought the Eurocontrol DVD and was quite shocked at my first go through for procedural thinking and the cubes (oh god the cubes). So i'm hoping to try again this summer but i am wondering if anyone knows what the percentage is you have to reach for a pass on the last 2 exams is? I dont want to waste my time going down and would rather take a few more months to get up to speed if i'm not currently up to scratch. Thanks

[whitelighter]

Why not aim to get 100%, rather than just scrape through?

Not really the right approach to the job. NATS keep the pass marks close to their chest, so you wont ever find out anyway.

If you are looking to be 'just good enough' perhaps this isnt the job for you...