NATS interview process
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: UK
Stage 0 and 1
Hi, does NATS provide any practise examples of these tests?
And does anyone have any example of the types of questions?
E.g a verbal question example
a numerical example
and a error checking example.
Would be much appreciated.
Cheers
And does anyone have any example of the types of questions?
E.g a verbal question example
a numerical example
and a error checking example.
Would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: England
I passed my Stage 1 online assessments last night (the second set), pretty pleased to be honest, I found them quite tough. Though, of course we don't know the pass requirement.
Anyway, the email they sent me (as everyone's aware), said there's no current assessment dates planned.
So, I guess we wait!
Anyway, the email they sent me (as everyone's aware), said there's no current assessment dates planned.
So, I guess we wait!
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Southampton
Stage 3
I passed my stage 2 back in January. I was in the group which had a computer catch fire resulting in a long delay, but we got a free coffee so all good 
Our group was told that if we were successful the following tests (Stage 3) would be in around a months time. That was 10 weeks ago and the only response I have had so far is that there are no dates for stage 3 planned at the moment. This is kind of annoying as my current employee is wanting to put me on a very expensive course, but my staff handbook says if i leave I will have to pay for all course taken in the last 9 months.
More information would be great if anyone has it so I know if I can go on the course. Thank you.
Our group was told that if we were successful the following tests (Stage 3) would be in around a months time. That was 10 weeks ago and the only response I have had so far is that there are no dates for stage 3 planned at the moment. This is kind of annoying as my current employee is wanting to put me on a very expensive course, but my staff handbook says if i leave I will have to pay for all course taken in the last 9 months.
More information would be great if anyone has it so I know if I can go on the course. Thank you.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: 8 miles high and falling fast
I passed my stage 2 back in January. I was in the group which had a computer catch fire resulting in a long delay, but we got a free coffee so all good
Our group was told that if we were successful the following tests (Stage 3) would be in around a months time. That was 10 weeks ago and the only response I have had so far is that there are no dates for stage 3 planned at the moment. This is kind of annoying as my current employee is wanting to put me on a very expensive course, but my staff handbook says if i leave I will have to pay for all course taken in the last 9 months.
More information would be great if anyone has it so I know if I can go on the course. Thank you.
Our group was told that if we were successful the following tests (Stage 3) would be in around a months time. That was 10 weeks ago and the only response I have had so far is that there are no dates for stage 3 planned at the moment. This is kind of annoying as my current employee is wanting to put me on a very expensive course, but my staff handbook says if i leave I will have to pay for all course taken in the last 9 months.
More information would be great if anyone has it so I know if I can go on the course. Thank you.
As already mentioned SES if going to force down costs and potentially require even less staff to meet these lower costs.
There is even a question as to the viability of NATS keeping the college going.
I wouldnt be holding my breath if I was anyone not yet 100% throught the process and actually on a course. Loads of people holding in the system with no-where to go.
I would be working very actively on a plan B if I were you. Do the course at work now - I doubt you will be starting with NATS in the next 9 months anyway
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: UK
Yes, at the moment NATS have more controllers than they need but they also have a high attrition rate what with retirements, VRs and leavers. Historically NATS staffing has gone through peaks and troughs, just now we are in a peak and numbers through the college are low. I suspect that possibly next year NATS will realise that they are getting short again and the college throughput will ramp up. Although on the airports side this would also depend on pending contract renewals which I'm not really up to speed on.
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Northern Ireland
Stage 0 eek
Hey all, just did Stage 0 after a long wait but was hoping someone would be so kind as to mail me the new ATC Motivational document please? Even though I may not make it, I would love to have a read
Thanks
Thanks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
From: Home away from home
Why do you need it? If you pass stage 0 you will be given it anyway, if you want to read up on ATC in general there is plenty on the internet. Start with the MATS pt 1 for example, but you'd better have a lot of free time!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Manchester
Status of NATS
I haven't posted on this site for a long time but having read through this topic regarding NATS' assessments, it amazes me how much has changed.
I applied to NATS over 2 years ago and got as far as (the old) Stage 1 but unfortunately wasn't successful. That day in Southampton was packed, they had a lot of Stage 1 assessments going on and the hotel was as crowded as could be. At the time, there was a huge demand for new recruits and I noticed how quickly dates were getting fully booked up. When I didn't get through, the decrease in stage dates showed, "nothing planned yet" seemed to be a common statement.
So coming up to a year since I sat my Stage 1 and they decided to change the time you had to wait between applying again from one year to two years so I decided to go the self-funding route as I didn't want to hang around much longer. I am (hopefully) not far off completing my ADI course and I have loved it.
Most of the stories I hear about NATS now seem to be much more negative then they use to be but then again, it happens to all companies, swings and roundabouts they say. It is always better to have a Plan B ready just in case what you originally plan on doing doesn't work out. I am glad I have decided to not wait around and go self-funded, it's a lot of money yes, but most of us love the industry and want to do what we love. So to those still waiting on NATS, good luck, don't give up but do have another plan ready just in case and I wish you all the best.
I applied to NATS over 2 years ago and got as far as (the old) Stage 1 but unfortunately wasn't successful. That day in Southampton was packed, they had a lot of Stage 1 assessments going on and the hotel was as crowded as could be. At the time, there was a huge demand for new recruits and I noticed how quickly dates were getting fully booked up. When I didn't get through, the decrease in stage dates showed, "nothing planned yet" seemed to be a common statement.
So coming up to a year since I sat my Stage 1 and they decided to change the time you had to wait between applying again from one year to two years so I decided to go the self-funding route as I didn't want to hang around much longer. I am (hopefully) not far off completing my ADI course and I have loved it.
Most of the stories I hear about NATS now seem to be much more negative then they use to be but then again, it happens to all companies, swings and roundabouts they say. It is always better to have a Plan B ready just in case what you originally plan on doing doesn't work out. I am glad I have decided to not wait around and go self-funded, it's a lot of money yes, but most of us love the industry and want to do what we love. So to those still waiting on NATS, good luck, don't give up but do have another plan ready just in case and I wish you all the best.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
From: The foot of Mt. Belzoni.
Sound advice Jack.
My backup was to teach geography and I even applied to NATS to become an assistant…….It was a long time ago.
I worked with a few people who had funded themselves, all were great ATCOs, (one is now a senior ops manager with NATS).
Good luck with the rest of your course, have fun and let us know how you get on.
My backup was to teach geography and I even applied to NATS to become an assistant…….It was a long time ago.
I worked with a few people who had funded themselves, all were great ATCOs, (one is now a senior ops manager with NATS).
Good luck with the rest of your course, have fun and let us know how you get on.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 559
Likes: 33
From: looking out of the window
I'd say the union will be vehemently against a salary drop for existing atcos.
A freeze (which is a real terms drop) is more likely but I think they'd struggle since they are still shovelling out dividends.
That's all for existing staff. Who knows what the terms might be for new starters, atcos do not have a very good history in not shafting new starters (see pensions etc)
With current pressures, I would suggest anyone not at the college already has a very good back up in mind for the foreseeable future. It is quite possible that the last route to a free ATCO license may be about to close
A freeze (which is a real terms drop) is more likely but I think they'd struggle since they are still shovelling out dividends.
That's all for existing staff. Who knows what the terms might be for new starters, atcos do not have a very good history in not shafting new starters (see pensions etc)
With current pressures, I would suggest anyone not at the college already has a very good back up in mind for the foreseeable future. It is quite possible that the last route to a free ATCO license may be about to close
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: London
Whitelighter: Yeah, I see the possibility for a freeze higher than an actual drop in salary, and I for sure think that we will see that tendency in more countries in the EU.
I work for ACR (a small company in Sweden), but new national regulations make the future look awful for us, so I most surely will have to relocate. Recently, I've considered what opportunities there are in NATS, but I don't really know anyone in NATS that I could ask about how it really is. So dear colleagues, may I ask e.g., how many hours an average ATCO for NATS work a week, and what is the yearly salary for this average Joe after tax?
I work for ACR (a small company in Sweden), but new national regulations make the future look awful for us, so I most surely will have to relocate. Recently, I've considered what opportunities there are in NATS, but I don't really know anyone in NATS that I could ask about how it really is. So dear colleagues, may I ask e.g., how many hours an average ATCO for NATS work a week, and what is the yearly salary for this average Joe after tax?
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 559
Likes: 33
From: looking out of the window
Average joe ATCO works MMAANNSOOO
So roughly speaking 48 hours every 10 days (non 24 hours units have a 9 day rota)
Average valid controller after 3 years is around £2600/month after tax
Once you get up the scales the complexity of the unit determines your salary but an 'average' ATCO (if there is such a thing) is taking home £3500/month I would guess, but the variety of bands and steps makes that a very approximate estimate
So roughly speaking 48 hours every 10 days (non 24 hours units have a 9 day rota)
Average valid controller after 3 years is around £2600/month after tax
Once you get up the scales the complexity of the unit determines your salary but an 'average' ATCO (if there is such a thing) is taking home £3500/month I would guess, but the variety of bands and steps makes that a very approximate estimate
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Chapel en le Frith
Stage 2
I have just completed my Stage 0 & 1, and have received an email to say there's currently no dates planned for Stage 2...fingers crossed I won't be waiting too long, as seems like people have already been waiting for a while?!
