NATS interview process
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Leicester
Hi all,
Just a quick question regarding the dress code for Stage Two. In the email it just says 'Smart', I know there are a few posts about it in the thread already a while back but it would be helpful to hear from someone who has been recently. Does this mean full suit? Honestly, I don't even own a suit! Or where there people with just smart shirts, trousers etc.
I can understand the suit for an interview style assessment day, but I can't imagine it's going to help while sitting at a computer taking tests. Thanks for any input!
Just a quick question regarding the dress code for Stage Two. In the email it just says 'Smart', I know there are a few posts about it in the thread already a while back but it would be helpful to hear from someone who has been recently. Does this mean full suit? Honestly, I don't even own a suit! Or where there people with just smart shirts, trousers etc.
I can understand the suit for an interview style assessment day, but I can't imagine it's going to help while sitting at a computer taking tests. Thanks for any input!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 196
Likes: 1
From: HANTS
Live as close as feasible and ideally use a bike/scooter/moped....getting into and out of Whiteley in college hours is abominable. Get through college and then think about where you’d prefer to live...shifts make the commute much easier.
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk
Trousers and shirt are 'smart' - throw a tie in for good measure.
Same for the interview - I turned up in a jacket and put it down in the chillout area and didn't pick it up again til I left.
The m27 is brutal at peak times, as is the road into Whiteley, live as close as possible for the training, I know the area well and that is my intention.
Same for the interview - I turned up in a jacket and put it down in the chillout area and didn't pick it up again til I left.
The m27 is brutal at peak times, as is the road into Whiteley, live as close as possible for the training, I know the area well and that is my intention.
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Moray
For those who've had their Stage 3, was the technical side of it all contained in the document or did they ask stuff around it, about NATS (history etc)? Before I go any further overkill on my prep... 
Anyone else here attending Prestwick on 6th November?
Anyone else here attending Prestwick on 6th November?
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Moray
Wes, good luck tomorrow - drop me a PM and let me know how it goes!
Lina - take it you're going back to Swanwick for yours?
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Buckinghamshire
Hello all,
I have my Stage 2 tomorrow at CTC and am driving down tonight... Just wondered if anyone else out there was doing Stage 2 tomorrow?
Well done to all of you who have made it through so far!
I have my Stage 2 tomorrow at CTC and am driving down tonight... Just wondered if anyone else out there was doing Stage 2 tomorrow?
Well done to all of you who have made it through so far!
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Cardiff
Stage 3
So I did my stage 3 today. Apparently if you are successful they call you the next day.
You don't need any certificates or anything for stage 3, just driving license/passport.
Anyone heard back yet about their stage 3?
You don't need any certificates or anything for stage 3, just driving license/passport.
Anyone heard back yet about their stage 3?
Last edited by TTTom; 4th November 2018 at 15:12.
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Devon
It didn't say anything about that in the confirmation email for me, either way if you pass stage 3 they'll go through your life with a fine tooth comb for security clearance so will probably get proof of your qualifications for themselves.
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Devon
Anyone with a stage 3 coming up, when/did you get an email specifying a time slot other than 8am? The confirmation I got when I booked around a month ago had a table of dates that only went until August and on the brassring link the location is just 'hedge end, hampshire'. I'm going on the 19th so PM me if you'll be there too 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Aberdeen
I done mine on the Thursday and heard back on the Monday. So it isn’t necessarily always the next day as I was successful and heard back the following week. Hope you hear back soon though! Good Luck
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: London
Hey everyone. So finally I have been given a start date! I thought I'd share my timeline for those applying! But first a quick question:
How long does the security clearance take? I'm referring to the one that is conducted by UKSV NSVS? After submitting the form, do they engage in follow-up questions? Does this extend the process?
So here's my timeline!!
Day 1: Apply to NATS as an ATC, Pass Stage 0, Invitation to Stage 1
Day 4: Pass Stage 1
Day 6: Invitation to Stage 2, Booked onto Stage 2
Day 22: Stage 2 Assessment (in CTC)
Day 27: Confirmation of passing Stage 2 Assessment
Day 28: Invitation to Stage 3 Assessment
Day 33: Booked onto Stage 3 Assessment
Day 39: Stage 3 Assessment
Day 74: Confirmation of passing Stage 3 Assessment
Day 79: Offered Medical Appointment
Day 172: Initiation of Security Vetting
Day 194: Confirmation of Start Date
Day 256: Medical Appointment
Day 297: Start Date!!!
Phew! So overall, took 9 months, 3 weeks, 2 days!!!
Good luck everyone! Oh, and if anyone could answer my question, that would be fantastic!
GreenATC
How long does the security clearance take? I'm referring to the one that is conducted by UKSV NSVS? After submitting the form, do they engage in follow-up questions? Does this extend the process?
So here's my timeline!!
Day 1: Apply to NATS as an ATC, Pass Stage 0, Invitation to Stage 1
Day 4: Pass Stage 1
Day 6: Invitation to Stage 2, Booked onto Stage 2
Day 22: Stage 2 Assessment (in CTC)
Day 27: Confirmation of passing Stage 2 Assessment
Day 28: Invitation to Stage 3 Assessment
Day 33: Booked onto Stage 3 Assessment
Day 39: Stage 3 Assessment
Day 74: Confirmation of passing Stage 3 Assessment
Day 79: Offered Medical Appointment
Day 172: Initiation of Security Vetting
Day 194: Confirmation of Start Date
Day 256: Medical Appointment
Day 297: Start Date!!!
Phew! So overall, took 9 months, 3 weeks, 2 days!!!
Good luck everyone! Oh, and if anyone could answer my question, that would be fantastic!
GreenATC
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: UK
Hey everyone. So finally I have been given a start date! I thought I'd share my timeline for those applying! But first a quick question:
How long does the security clearance take? I'm referring to the one that is conducted by UKSV NSVS? After submitting the form, do they engage in follow-up questions? Does this extend the process?
So here's my timeline!!
Day 1: Apply to NATS as an ATC, Pass Stage 0, Invitation to Stage 1
Day 4: Pass Stage 1
Day 6: Invitation to Stage 2, Booked onto Stage 2
Day 22: Stage 2 Assessment (in CTC)
Day 27: Confirmation of passing Stage 2 Assessment
Day 28: Invitation to Stage 3 Assessment
Day 33: Booked onto Stage 3 Assessment
Day 39: Stage 3 Assessment
Day 74: Confirmation of passing Stage 3 Assessment
Day 79: Offered Medical Appointment
Day 172: Initiation of Security Vetting
Day 194: Confirmation of Start Date
Day 256: Medical Appointment
Day 297: Start Date!!!
Phew! So overall, took 9 months, 3 weeks, 2 days!!!
Good luck everyone! Oh, and if anyone could answer my question, that would be fantastic!
GreenATC
How long does the security clearance take? I'm referring to the one that is conducted by UKSV NSVS? After submitting the form, do they engage in follow-up questions? Does this extend the process?
So here's my timeline!!
Day 1: Apply to NATS as an ATC, Pass Stage 0, Invitation to Stage 1
Day 4: Pass Stage 1
Day 6: Invitation to Stage 2, Booked onto Stage 2
Day 22: Stage 2 Assessment (in CTC)
Day 27: Confirmation of passing Stage 2 Assessment
Day 28: Invitation to Stage 3 Assessment
Day 33: Booked onto Stage 3 Assessment
Day 39: Stage 3 Assessment
Day 74: Confirmation of passing Stage 3 Assessment
Day 79: Offered Medical Appointment
Day 172: Initiation of Security Vetting
Day 194: Confirmation of Start Date
Day 256: Medical Appointment
Day 297: Start Date!!!
Phew! So overall, took 9 months, 3 weeks, 2 days!!!
Good luck everyone! Oh, and if anyone could answer my question, that would be fantastic!
GreenATC
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Nottingham
Hi Everyone,
Just looking for some advise.
I unfortunately had to reschedule my September stage 2 date and now attending on 12th November.
I am stopping with family in Tadley the night before and planned on driving to Swanwick however I've heard the parking situation is awful! Could someone advise how true this is?
I've looked at the possibility of getting the train from Basingstoke but it just seems such a faff having the change trains and then taxi to the centre. I was thinking about renting a driveway, I've done this in the past and seems to work well, has anyone done anything similar?
I also read somewhere about taking drinks in with you, do they have to be in a sports bottle or something like that? can't remember quite what I read as it was a while back!
Thanks!
Just looking for some advise.
I unfortunately had to reschedule my September stage 2 date and now attending on 12th November.
I am stopping with family in Tadley the night before and planned on driving to Swanwick however I've heard the parking situation is awful! Could someone advise how true this is?
I've looked at the possibility of getting the train from Basingstoke but it just seems such a faff having the change trains and then taxi to the centre. I was thinking about renting a driveway, I've done this in the past and seems to work well, has anyone done anything similar?
I also read somewhere about taking drinks in with you, do they have to be in a sports bottle or something like that? can't remember quite what I read as it was a while back!
Thanks!
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: London
I'll be going to Jerez in February
I know they have a course at CTC in Jan, Jerez in Feb, Gloucester in March and another at CTC in April. I'm sure there are plenty more, they seem to be on a big recruitment drive.
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: UK
Good luck with the medical. Haven't actually had mine yet either but it's booked! So excited to start but the security process is taking a while!
I'll be going to Jerez in February I know they have a course at CTC in Jan, Jerez in Feb, Gloucester in March and another at CTC in April. I'm sure there are plenty more, they seem to be on a big recruitment drive.
I'll be going to Jerez in February
I know they have a course at CTC in Jan, Jerez in Feb, Gloucester in March and another at CTC in April. I'm sure there are plenty more, they seem to be on a big recruitment drive. got to wait for the break clause in my rent agreement, otherwise I think I would've been on an earlier course
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Cardiff
Hey everyone. So finally I have been given a start date! I thought I'd share my timeline for those applying! But first a quick question:
How long does the security clearance take? I'm referring to the one that is conducted by UKSV NSVS? After submitting the form, do they engage in follow-up questions? Does this extend the process?
So here's my timeline!!
Day 1: Apply to NATS as an ATC, Pass Stage 0, Invitation to Stage 1
Day 4: Pass Stage 1
Day 6: Invitation to Stage 2, Booked onto Stage 2
Day 22: Stage 2 Assessment (in CTC)
Day 27: Confirmation of passing Stage 2 Assessment
Day 28: Invitation to Stage 3 Assessment
Day 33: Booked onto Stage 3 Assessment
Day 39: Stage 3 Assessment
Day 74: Confirmation of passing Stage 3 Assessment
Day 79: Offered Medical Appointment
Day 172: Initiation of Security Vetting
Day 194: Confirmation of Start Date
Day 256: Medical Appointment
Day 297: Start Date!!!
Phew! So overall, took 9 months, 3 weeks, 2 days!!!
Good luck everyone! Oh, and if anyone could answer my question, that would be fantastic!
GreenATC
How long does the security clearance take? I'm referring to the one that is conducted by UKSV NSVS? After submitting the form, do they engage in follow-up questions? Does this extend the process?
So here's my timeline!!
Day 1: Apply to NATS as an ATC, Pass Stage 0, Invitation to Stage 1
Day 4: Pass Stage 1
Day 6: Invitation to Stage 2, Booked onto Stage 2
Day 22: Stage 2 Assessment (in CTC)
Day 27: Confirmation of passing Stage 2 Assessment
Day 28: Invitation to Stage 3 Assessment
Day 33: Booked onto Stage 3 Assessment
Day 39: Stage 3 Assessment
Day 74: Confirmation of passing Stage 3 Assessment
Day 79: Offered Medical Appointment
Day 172: Initiation of Security Vetting
Day 194: Confirmation of Start Date
Day 256: Medical Appointment
Day 297: Start Date!!!
Phew! So overall, took 9 months, 3 weeks, 2 days!!!
Good luck everyone! Oh, and if anyone could answer my question, that would be fantastic!
GreenATC
Day 1: Apply to NATS as an ATC, Pass Stage 0, Invitation to Stage 1
Day 3: Pass Stage 1
Day 3: Invitation to Stage 2, Booked onto Stage 2
Day 29: Stage 2 Assessment (in CTC)
Day 30: Confirmation of passing Stage 2 Assessment
Day 31: Invitation to Stage 3 Assessment, Booked onto Stage 3
Day 41: Stage 3 Assessment
Day 42: Confirmation of passing Stage 3 Assessment
Day 43: Offered Medical Appointment
Day 44: Initiation of Security Vetting, Confirmation of start date
...Awaiting medical...
Day 101: Start date
Just over three months in total, approx 13 weeks. I've been informed the security clearance is one of the longest parts, it can take up to 60 days apparently, with one person saying their took 76 days.
I start in NATS Whiteley in Jan!