NATS interview process
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Scotland
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Yes, NATS CTC is the only place you can do the area course, but they don't decide what route you go down until you are some way into your course (at the end of the basic course I think). So if they decide you're best suited for area control then they would send you to CTC after doing your basic course even if you did the basic at Global. They are sending a number of people to Jerez in Spain for the basic course and then following that they have to come back to the UK to CTC or Global to do the following courses, so I don't imagine they have any qualms about changing training locations after the basic course.
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Leeds
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Hiya been watching this forum for over a year but never posted!
So a little more than a year ago I had my stage 3 and sadly failed. However, in September I got an email from them saying
'Unfortunately though you were not successful on this application attempt, you however you did come close to the role requirements and therefore we would like to invite you to re-attend in 12 months time and allow you to progress straight through to the Stage 3 Assessment Centre. '
It goes on to say they'll email me 12 months from my original centre date, but I'm yet to hear anything!
Has anyone else been in a similar situation? I'm worried they've just forgotten about me
So a little more than a year ago I had my stage 3 and sadly failed. However, in September I got an email from them saying
'Unfortunately though you were not successful on this application attempt, you however you did come close to the role requirements and therefore we would like to invite you to re-attend in 12 months time and allow you to progress straight through to the Stage 3 Assessment Centre. '
It goes on to say they'll email me 12 months from my original centre date, but I'm yet to hear anything!
Has anyone else been in a similar situation? I'm worried they've just forgotten about me
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Southampton
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Hi everyone, am delighted to have passed stage 2 , I've received an email saying I need a valid passport to attend my stage 3? Has anyone without a passport been able to sit a stage 3 interview ? Happy to get one if need be
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Lincolnshire
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Hi all, new poster here. I found this page while looking for study aids for the NATS online assessments. I’m happy to say that I’ve passed stage 1 and I have my stage 2 assessment booked in for 02/07/18.
The learning material for the ATC test I’m not too worried about but from what I’ve heard about FEAST and DART there’s no real preparation - either you can do it or you can’t.
The learning material for the ATC test I’m not too worried about but from what I’ve heard about FEAST and DART there’s no real preparation - either you can do it or you can’t.
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Edinburgh
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Caged_phoenix - I think someone in my Stage 3 forgot their passport and only had their driving license - I think they were ok but it delays the security process maybe? Worth calling them to check, just to be safe.
Mattb88 - Correct, there isn't any prep you can do for FEAST/DART!
I'm going to be joining the July course at CTC, anyone else on here doing the same? I've found a nice 2 bed flat to rent on the Portsmouth side if anyone is keen to share?
Mattb88 - Correct, there isn't any prep you can do for FEAST/DART!
I'm going to be joining the July course at CTC, anyone else on here doing the same? I've found a nice 2 bed flat to rent on the Portsmouth side if anyone is keen to share?
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Nottingham
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I forgot my passport to my Stage 3, but I did have to send it in the post afterwards when I was offered a place. I'd get in touch with recruitment if I was you and ask for alternatives.
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: London
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yux5 - Did you ever get a follow up regarding this?
ATCkmmbbh1 - Congrats on your course date, man. How long after the Stage 3 Assessment did you get your confirmation? Also quickly did you get booked into the medicals and security clearance? I also heard that there are two medicals: the NATS one that is a precursor to see if you will pass the Medical 3 Certificate. Is this right?
Finished my Stage 3 a while ago and just waiting for the outcome! Ahhh!
ATCkmmbbh1 - Congrats on your course date, man. How long after the Stage 3 Assessment did you get your confirmation? Also quickly did you get booked into the medicals and security clearance? I also heard that there are two medicals: the NATS one that is a precursor to see if you will pass the Medical 3 Certificate. Is this right?
Finished my Stage 3 a while ago and just waiting for the outcome! Ahhh!
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Southampton
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Thankyou that's very reassuring , will give them a call this week, I've applied for a new one and been told via text it should arrive a month before my stage 3 interview 🤞
Join Date: Dec 2017
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For me it was two weeks, but other peoples accounts were 5 days to a month.
Took a week to book the medical, medical was about 3 weeks after that.
Took a week to book the medical, medical was about 3 weeks after that.
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: London
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Thanks BARRY_SCOTT. 15 days has passed for me but sadly not 15 *working* days. Blast that term haha. Good to know about the medicals.
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Edinburgh
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yux5 - Did you ever get a follow up regarding this?
ATCkmmbbh1 - Congrats on your course date, man. How long after the Stage 3 Assessment did you get your confirmation? Also quickly did you get booked into the medicals and security clearance? I also heard that there are two medicals: the NATS one that is a precursor to see if you will pass the Medical 3 Certificate. Is this right?
Finished my Stage 3 a while ago and just waiting for the outcome! Ahhh!
ATCkmmbbh1 - Congrats on your course date, man. How long after the Stage 3 Assessment did you get your confirmation? Also quickly did you get booked into the medicals and security clearance? I also heard that there are two medicals: the NATS one that is a precursor to see if you will pass the Medical 3 Certificate. Is this right?
Finished my Stage 3 a while ago and just waiting for the outcome! Ahhh!
Join Date: Jun 2018
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Alright folks, just signed up to the forum.
I have my Stage 2 in July. Of course I have a long way to go but was wondering a couple of things for those successful in Stage 2 and Stage 3. Obviously as has been said many times, it is up the them where they put you, but if you end up on the area control path you will be in either 1 or 2 places, Swanick or Prestwick, is that correct?
Does anyone have any idea how often Trainee positions become available at Prestwick? Being from Glasgow this would be ideal for me so I'm hoping if I am fortunate enough to make it to the stage of being offered a position I would end up there.
In terms of the training plan, it's 8 months at a training centre(s) then you are placed in the work environment, if I am reading things right? If you were to be placed at Prestwick or Swanick after 8 months does that pretty much mean that is the centre at which you will be employed?
Any info much appreciated!
I have my Stage 2 in July. Of course I have a long way to go but was wondering a couple of things for those successful in Stage 2 and Stage 3. Obviously as has been said many times, it is up the them where they put you, but if you end up on the area control path you will be in either 1 or 2 places, Swanick or Prestwick, is that correct?
Does anyone have any idea how often Trainee positions become available at Prestwick? Being from Glasgow this would be ideal for me so I'm hoping if I am fortunate enough to make it to the stage of being offered a position I would end up there.
In terms of the training plan, it's 8 months at a training centre(s) then you are placed in the work environment, if I am reading things right? If you were to be placed at Prestwick or Swanick after 8 months does that pretty much mean that is the centre at which you will be employed?
Any info much appreciated!
Join Date: Jun 2018
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[QUOTE=chips1;
As I'm led to believe, basic training is in either Swanwick, Gloucester or Jerez and lasts two months or so. Then for area control, yes, either Swanwick or Prestwick.
As for how often training positions become available in Prestwick, I personally do not know the rate of recruitment for Prestwick; I regret to say the answer is probably "in line with the demands of the business". On that note, I was told by a NATS employee that once, a group of trainees completed their area control training and then right before they were to be posted, NATS needed more tower controllers, and so they ALL retrained to become tower controllers. Based on this, your guess is as good as mine when it comes to recruitment rates.
After the basic training (2-3 months), and the specific training (area: +9 months / aerodrome: +5 months / aerodrome/approach: +8 months), you then have 12-18 months of work placements. I do not believe that where your work placement is is always where you'll be posted once you validate. For example, if you were a tower controller in Heathrow on your work placement, at the end of the placement once you become validated, there may be a need for a tower controller in Aberdeen. Off to Aberdeen you go! (Everyone seems to hate Aberdeen, haha, I'm not entirely sure why but it gets scapegoated a lot!) However, it is probably very likely that those who train as an Area Controller in Swanwick will probably then validate and continue to work in Swanwick. From what I've read and people I've spoken to, that seems to be the case. I imagine it's probably very similar for Prestwick. Finally, while the demands of the business take priority, it is not unheard of to have your preferences accommodated for: on youtube search for this "NATS TRAINEES ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS PART 1 ASKNATS.
I tried to post a link but the forum wouldn't let me.
Hope this helps! Good luck with your Stage 2!
As I'm led to believe, basic training is in either Swanwick, Gloucester or Jerez and lasts two months or so. Then for area control, yes, either Swanwick or Prestwick.
As for how often training positions become available in Prestwick, I personally do not know the rate of recruitment for Prestwick; I regret to say the answer is probably "in line with the demands of the business". On that note, I was told by a NATS employee that once, a group of trainees completed their area control training and then right before they were to be posted, NATS needed more tower controllers, and so they ALL retrained to become tower controllers. Based on this, your guess is as good as mine when it comes to recruitment rates.
After the basic training (2-3 months), and the specific training (area: +9 months / aerodrome: +5 months / aerodrome/approach: +8 months), you then have 12-18 months of work placements. I do not believe that where your work placement is is always where you'll be posted once you validate. For example, if you were a tower controller in Heathrow on your work placement, at the end of the placement once you become validated, there may be a need for a tower controller in Aberdeen. Off to Aberdeen you go! (Everyone seems to hate Aberdeen, haha, I'm not entirely sure why but it gets scapegoated a lot!) However, it is probably very likely that those who train as an Area Controller in Swanwick will probably then validate and continue to work in Swanwick. From what I've read and people I've spoken to, that seems to be the case. I imagine it's probably very similar for Prestwick. Finally, while the demands of the business take priority, it is not unheard of to have your preferences accommodated for: on youtube search for this "NATS TRAINEES ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS PART 1 ASKNATS.
I tried to post a link but the forum wouldn't let me.
Hope this helps! Good luck with your Stage 2!
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Scotland
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After the basic training (2-3 months), and the specific training (area: +9 months / aerodrome: +5 months / aerodrome/approach: +8 months), you then have 12-18 months of work placements. I do not believe that where your work placement is is always where you'll be posted once you validate. For example, if you were a tower controller in Heathrow on your work placement, at the end of the placement once you become validated, there may be a need for a tower controller in Aberdeen. Off to Aberdeen you go! (Everyone seems to hate Aberdeen, haha, I'm not entirely sure why but it gets scapegoated a lot!)
At least that's my understanding!
Join Date: Jun 2018
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Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum, I have my stage 3 coming up soon and was looking for some advice. I've just graduated from university so have little work experience outside of part-time work so I'm a little nervous about the competency part of the interview. If there's anybody here who's passed stage 3 was just curious to know what sort of backgrounds you came from.
As for the technical portion of the interview is it mostly based off of the information pack? Will I be required to memorise all the plane statistics?
Would appreciate any info!
As for the technical portion of the interview is it mostly based off of the information pack? Will I be required to memorise all the plane statistics?
Would appreciate any info!
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: LONDON
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Hi all, new poster here. I found this page while looking for study aids for the NATS online assessments. I’m happy to say that I’ve passed stage 1 and I have my stage 2 assessment booked in for 02/07/18.
The learning material for the ATC test I’m not too worried about but from what I’ve heard about FEAST and DART there’s no real preparation - either you can do it or you can’t.
The learning material for the ATC test I’m not too worried about but from what I’ve heard about FEAST and DART there’s no real preparation - either you can do it or you can’t.
Im new to this forum . congrats on passing your stage 1 assessment. Could you please suggest any reading aid for the online stage 1 assessment . Thanks
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: U.K
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NATS time to re-application?
Congrats to all successful with the NATS selection.
I recently failed the 2nd section of online tests (drat!!!) Can anybody say for certain if there is a required waiting period before reapplying? I can’t find any info from NATS regarding this. Thanks
I recently failed the 2nd section of online tests (drat!!!) Can anybody say for certain if there is a required waiting period before reapplying? I can’t find any info from NATS regarding this. Thanks
Join Date: Apr 2018
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Join Date: Jun 2018
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Stage 3 Assessment Day
Hi everyone,
I’ve just received an email after passing stage 2 to book in for the stage 3 interview day. Does anybody have any advice as to the set up of the day and what each part entails, especially the Eurocontrol computer-based assessment?
Thanks!
I’ve just received an email after passing stage 2 to book in for the stage 3 interview day. Does anybody have any advice as to the set up of the day and what each part entails, especially the Eurocontrol computer-based assessment?
Thanks!