NATS interview process
Join Date: Dec 2008
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Nats have always been a bit slow in updating their external web stuff - I don't know why.
While Nats continue to lose contracts and generate the problem of staff wishing to stay within the company that have the right to do so any real recruitment (or existing staff moving between units for that matter) is on a bit of a hiatus.
I don't know why they keep recruitment open, but since it's web based it diesbt cost anything and then they have a queue or people who've shown interest and got so far when they finally decide they do need some more bods
While Nats continue to lose contracts and generate the problem of staff wishing to stay within the company that have the right to do so any real recruitment (or existing staff moving between units for that matter) is on a bit of a hiatus.
I don't know why they keep recruitment open, but since it's web based it diesbt cost anything and then they have a queue or people who've shown interest and got so far when they finally decide they do need some more bods
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham
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From NATS point of view it obviously makes sense to have that pool of applicants to process as and when they're ready, as whitelighter said.
However, from an applicants point of view it's a bit of a pain with regards to lifestyle. For me it's the difference between buying a house and setting up a permanent base or renting somewhere I can leave and move to Hampshire for training with minimal fuss (and financial crippling).
Obviously I'm going to wait to hear from NATS before buying but it'd be very handy to know if the process would continue in a couple of months or in a years time (or over).
It's a great opportunity so it's a no brainer waiting but that's my main gripe.
However, from an applicants point of view it's a bit of a pain with regards to lifestyle. For me it's the difference between buying a house and setting up a permanent base or renting somewhere I can leave and move to Hampshire for training with minimal fuss (and financial crippling).
Obviously I'm going to wait to hear from NATS before buying but it'd be very handy to know if the process would continue in a couple of months or in a years time (or over).
It's a great opportunity so it's a no brainer waiting but that's my main gripe.
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Harrogate
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Now then.
It's been a year now since I passed my stage 2 haha. I remember the woman (Claire Burton I think) saying they were talking of rushing us all through stage 3 and into the college in the next few months after that...
Out of curiosity does anybody know when they last did do a stage 3?
Out of curiosity does anybody know when they last did do a stage 3?
Join Date: Jan 2015
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Hi all, I've just registered to post in this mega thread. I finally got off my backside last week and applied to become a controller. Yesterday afternoon I got an email confirming I'd passed stage 0 and 1 and I'm currently waiting for a Stage 2 assessment date.
From what I gather, quite a lot of people are waiting for Stage 2 and have been for a number of months. Any idea at all when they might hold one...?
From what I gather, quite a lot of people are waiting for Stage 2 and have been for a number of months. Any idea at all when they might hold one...?
Join Date: Jan 2015
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Just thought I'd add my experience so far. I passed all the assessments in December 2013 and since then I've been told repeatedly it will all be starting in "a few months" and that I should just sit back and wait for them to contact me. Does anyone have a clue when it's likely to start?
Join Date: Jun 2008
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It seems NATS are delaying you guys for quite a while...
Alternatively, HIAL in Scotland were running a trainee ab-initio ATCO programme for Stornoway Airport in Scotland, with training due to start mid-April this year for around 10 new ATCOs.
Not sure if this is still open for applications, check it out.
You'd be trained on ADI (aerodrome) and APP (approach procedural), only downside is being up in Highlands
Alternatively, HIAL in Scotland were running a trainee ab-initio ATCO programme for Stornoway Airport in Scotland, with training due to start mid-April this year for around 10 new ATCOs.
Not sure if this is still open for applications, check it out.
You'd be trained on ADI (aerodrome) and APP (approach procedural), only downside is being up in Highlands
Join Date: Jan 2015
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Hi everyone,
Its my first post here. I did my assessments 0&1 In April 2014 and I´m still waiting for them to reply. I just want to say hi and thank everyone for the info. Lets hope that we all get called.
Its my first post here. I did my assessments 0&1 In April 2014 and I´m still waiting for them to reply. I just want to say hi and thank everyone for the info. Lets hope that we all get called.
Join Date: Apr 2010
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Honestly, I don't mean to be harsh but I wouldn't bank on it.
If you've done stage 3 or maybe stage 2 then you might get a course in the next year, maybe 2
If you've just don't the initial tests its going to be a long time - basically until the market picks up, NATS start winning contracts or the next wave of retirees happens.
The fact is NATS have too many ATCOs as it is
If you've done stage 3 or maybe stage 2 then you might get a course in the next year, maybe 2
If you've just don't the initial tests its going to be a long time - basically until the market picks up, NATS start winning contracts or the next wave of retirees happens.
The fact is NATS have too many ATCOs as it is
Join Date: Jan 2015
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Honestly, I don't mean to be harsh but I wouldn't bank on it.
If you've done stage 3 or maybe stage 2 then you might get a course in the next year, maybe 2
If you've just don't the initial tests its going to be a long time - basically until the market picks up, NATS start winning contracts or the next wave of retirees happens.
The fact is NATS have too many ATCOs as it is
If you've done stage 3 or maybe stage 2 then you might get a course in the next year, maybe 2
If you've just don't the initial tests its going to be a long time - basically until the market picks up, NATS start winning contracts or the next wave of retirees happens.
The fact is NATS have too many ATCOs as it is
Honestly it doesn't take much...recruitment is a two way street and it's expected of employers to keep candidates updated on the progress of their application and let them know of any delays.
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: warrington
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Hey there, been waiting nearly 12 months since I passed Stage 2 and today I received an e-mail telling me that they are planning to create Stage 3 assessment days in May and June.
The e-mail also states that the Assessment days are 'for courses starting later this year'. Whether this means they have taken all the people they can from the pool of 'Passed Stage 3 candidates' and are now looking to those who have passed stage 2 remains to be seen, but this is certainly great news.
The last thing the e-mail talks about is the fact that as it's been so long, some people may not want to continue, and so if you want your application withdrawn you reply to the e-mail stating so; otherwise, don't reply and wait for them to e-mail again!
Been nearly 16 months since I first applied and 12 since I passed stage 2 and finally getting somewhere, can't wait!
The e-mail also states that the Assessment days are 'for courses starting later this year'. Whether this means they have taken all the people they can from the pool of 'Passed Stage 3 candidates' and are now looking to those who have passed stage 2 remains to be seen, but this is certainly great news.
The last thing the e-mail talks about is the fact that as it's been so long, some people may not want to continue, and so if you want your application withdrawn you reply to the e-mail stating so; otherwise, don't reply and wait for them to e-mail again!
Been nearly 16 months since I first applied and 12 since I passed stage 2 and finally getting somewhere, can't wait!
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Edinburgh
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Nervous and excited!
Hi all!
As above with Eyesickle1, I also just received the same email! Been just over 12 months since I passed stage two, and lots has changed - namely I'm living in a colony with abundant sun about 10000 miles away from Fareham, where I've just been waiting for this day. Now that it's here, I don't know how to articulate my feeling! It's insane! Looking forward to flying back For the assessment, any ideas on if stage 3 and 4 as per the infographic are amalgamated into the one "stage" as far as Swanwick is concerned? Could be expensive commuting BNE - LHR via DXB on multiple occasions....
As above with Eyesickle1, I also just received the same email! Been just over 12 months since I passed stage two, and lots has changed - namely I'm living in a colony with abundant sun about 10000 miles away from Fareham, where I've just been waiting for this day. Now that it's here, I don't know how to articulate my feeling! It's insane! Looking forward to flying back For the assessment, any ideas on if stage 3 and 4 as per the infographic are amalgamated into the one "stage" as far as Swanwick is concerned? Could be expensive commuting BNE - LHR via DXB on multiple occasions....
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Harrogate
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Swanwick Visit.
Hello all, I've got the email about stage 3 dates being held in May/June as well, considering I sat my Stage 2 in January 2014 I thought they had forgotten about me!
Anyway I'm looking at organising a visit to the Swanwick centre, preferably on April the 2nd as I'm working pretty solidly apart from then but I can't find any email/phone numbers for any ATC's to use to contact them to arrange anything. I've emailed the NATS public enquiries email address on their website but in my experience they aren't great with responding to emails.
I've already been to 2 Towers last year after stage 2 but of course that was a while ago.
Does anybody have any contact information I can use to hopefully arrange a visit to the centre? I don't have time to sift through 480 pages before people yell at me to do that..
Any help is appreciated.
Fred
Anyway I'm looking at organising a visit to the Swanwick centre, preferably on April the 2nd as I'm working pretty solidly apart from then but I can't find any email/phone numbers for any ATC's to use to contact them to arrange anything. I've emailed the NATS public enquiries email address on their website but in my experience they aren't great with responding to emails.
I've already been to 2 Towers last year after stage 2 but of course that was a while ago.
Does anybody have any contact information I can use to hopefully arrange a visit to the centre? I don't have time to sift through 480 pages before people yell at me to do that..
Any help is appreciated.
Fred
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Harrogate
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Thanks for the number, I rang during lunch today (took several times to get through) and the lady basically seemed surprised and downright confused as to why I would be trying to get a visit and said she'd ring me back after inquiring.
After I called back later on when I received no callback I was eventually put through to somebody who starting saying I would have to book a visit online on the NATS website which I know isn't how it works as I've looked (unless I've missed something), after telling her this she started saying I would be unable to book a visit unless I was actually an ATCO or a trainee which I know is rubbish as I know others have had visits.
Does anybody have any other numbers or emails I can try? Maybe there's a nice ATCO who works there who would kindly show me round on their lunch break on April 2nd lol.
Anything's greatly appreciated.
Fred
After I called back later on when I received no callback I was eventually put through to somebody who starting saying I would have to book a visit online on the NATS website which I know isn't how it works as I've looked (unless I've missed something), after telling her this she started saying I would be unable to book a visit unless I was actually an ATCO or a trainee which I know is rubbish as I know others have had visits.
Does anybody have any other numbers or emails I can try? Maybe there's a nice ATCO who works there who would kindly show me round on their lunch break on April 2nd lol.
Anything's greatly appreciated.
Fred
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Sounds like you got through to a right berk! Best chance would be if someone operational sees your post and "fixes" something. Used to be dead easy at Heathrow and LATCC but I don't know about the place at the seaside.
Join Date: Jun 2013
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I went to Manchester and Leeds Bradford yes, (The latter as A. it's local to me and B. I figured it would be interesting to get an alternative insight to NATS). This was back in February 2014 just after I passed Stage 2 though.
Somebody on the forum has kindly given me an email for Claire Burton at NATS whom I believe I remember from my Stage 2 so I've sent her a message asking for some assistance so we'll see if something gets sorted that way.
I'm really only going to be available on April 2nd for the forseeable future due to work commitments and I'm going to be around that part of the country then as well so it only makes sense to try and poke my head around whilst I can!
Somebody on the forum has kindly given me an email for Claire Burton at NATS whom I believe I remember from my Stage 2 so I've sent her a message asking for some assistance so we'll see if something gets sorted that way.
I'm really only going to be available on April 2nd for the forseeable future due to work commitments and I'm going to be around that part of the country then as well so it only makes sense to try and poke my head around whilst I can!
