why only 2 stages
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why only 2 stages
after looking on the NATS website today, i noticed the ad for these open days that were held last week
the thing that confuses me, is that if you're successful at the open day, there is a second stage (presumably interviews etc) and thats it. the whole process done within less than 2 weeks
why then, do people that have applied through the proper channels, have to do 2 seperate interviews, another set of tests, and a group excercise, spread out over more than a month??
the thing that confuses me, is that if you're successful at the open day, there is a second stage (presumably interviews etc) and thats it. the whole process done within less than 2 weeks
why then, do people that have applied through the proper channels, have to do 2 seperate interviews, another set of tests, and a group excercise, spread out over more than a month??
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Sorry Ben-vrs, [for not giving a useful answer here] but IMHO a 3-stage selection process [4 if ya count the CV!], is more advantageous.
For one, it might deter those people with only ££ signs in their eyes
… so good for NATS…
but also good for us- I for one can feel a greater urge to work in ATC due to the extra time and effort I’ve spent researching the career and its basic principles
- a functional basis for the college material and a genuine self-help approach to learning the foundations.
I feel more passion and drive at this point (Stage3-28/Feb…YES Wednesday-
!), than I did at Stage2.
I was speaking to some EGSS ATCO's on Saturday and I listened to how they had gone through so much more training and had a broader spectrum of experience than any of us newbies can hope for.
... back in the day college was near-enough an ongoing thing with training for 3 years in 3 disciplines- that isn’t a BAD thing, and in my opinion, the more thorough things are the better they will be.
I know it's not much of a comparison but I can certainly feel the positive effects of an extra stage, so I am grateful for THAT.
PS: Thanks
to the Stansted bunch; I'll probably be back when the new 23L/05R is built... if you'll have me that is!
PS...2
:any1 who is going to stage 3 [Marble Arch] on Wednesday can you PM me?
For one, it might deter those people with only ££ signs in their eyes
… so good for NATS… but also good for us- I for one can feel a greater urge to work in ATC due to the extra time and effort I’ve spent researching the career and its basic principles
- a functional basis for the college material and a genuine self-help approach to learning the foundations.I feel more passion and drive at this point (Stage3-28/Feb…YES Wednesday-
!), than I did at Stage2.I was speaking to some EGSS ATCO's on Saturday and I listened to how they had gone through so much more training and had a broader spectrum of experience than any of us newbies can hope for.
... back in the day college was near-enough an ongoing thing with training for 3 years in 3 disciplines- that isn’t a BAD thing, and in my opinion, the more thorough things are the better they will be.
I know it's not much of a comparison but I can certainly feel the positive effects of an extra stage, so I am grateful for THAT.
PS: Thanks
to the Stansted bunch; I'll probably be back when the new 23L/05R is built... if you'll have me that is!PS...2
:any1 who is going to stage 3 [Marble Arch] on Wednesday can you PM me?
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ben-vrs,
Everybody does the same tests, but NATS have experimented with a new set up to try and make better use of resources, and result in an even quicker application process.
The second stage for those who were at the open days consists of the normal stage two and stage three combined.
Everybody does the same tests, but NATS have experimented with a new set up to try and make better use of resources, and result in an even quicker application process.
The second stage for those who were at the open days consists of the normal stage two and stage three combined.
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Things sure have changed since I joined - but are they for the better? I had a straightforward "Civil Service Commission" interview lasting about 45 minutes with 3 very old-fashioned CS people and an ATCO (later my WS at Heathrow!). No fancy tests or psycho stuff, yet the people they turned out in those days were at least successful, if not more so, as those of today. Bizarre..
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With respect HD, it was a lot less busy and even more less complex than the job is today.
Added to that, the training was what, three years? With lots of OJT whilst still training? Possibly a few years spent as an assistant?
Bear in mind that we get people at Heathrow Tower (and your old colleagues at TC LL APC) having been training for six months, no OJT.
Added to that, the training was what, three years? With lots of OJT whilst still training? Possibly a few years spent as an assistant?
Bear in mind that we get people at Heathrow Tower (and your old colleagues at TC LL APC) having been training for six months, no OJT.
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thanks for the replies
i had presumed that applicants would still complete stage 2 and 3 in one go, but in order to turn things round in that space of time surely its at the expense of processing applications of others that have been through the full system
also, if people have gone from open day to job offer in less than a week, how can they know enough to complete the technical interview?
i had presumed that applicants would still complete stage 2 and 3 in one go, but in order to turn things round in that space of time surely its at the expense of processing applications of others that have been through the full system
also, if people have gone from open day to job offer in less than a week, how can they know enough to complete the technical interview?
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The so-called 'technical interview', might include a few questions to test the applicant's ATC and aviation knowledge, but that's not what it's there for.
It's there to determine your suitability to become a trainee ATCO. To determine if you have the right skills. Therefore to pass the interview you don't have to 'know' anything. ATC knowledge is one of many areas we test during the interview.
However, I'd certainly suggest one learns as much as possible before interview. For all the obvious reasons.
It's there to determine your suitability to become a trainee ATCO. To determine if you have the right skills. Therefore to pass the interview you don't have to 'know' anything. ATC knowledge is one of many areas we test during the interview.
However, I'd certainly suggest one learns as much as possible before interview. For all the obvious reasons.
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Sorry to be YET ANOTHER person seeking advice about the selection process but i'd love to hear about your interview tom....structure, q's etc. Oh, and i wish you all the best, good luck! (EGMC)
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interview structure
Hi cottam approach, i start the college in March and so guess i can give you some useful hints about the stage 3 interview. It really isnt as bad as what you think, i got really worried, but it turned out to be fine. remember the HR and ATCO doing your interview arent there to trip you up, they are there to help.i got to where my interview was held at around 8.00 in the morning (for an 8.30 start), and there was a couple of others already there, so we just all had a brew and waited. We then got took into a small conference room where they spoke to us for a short while and we had to stand up and introduce ourselves etc. We then had to play a group game, where they assess your interaction with others skill (i guess) the game was quite straight forward, you just have to land planes in a certain order as is dictated on the board, but there are certain rules to the game. which you will find out once you are there, but which are quite basic. Just remember to try and work as a team, and delegate roles. as there were 6 of us, and only 2 sets of interviewers (in each there was a HR person and an ATCO), we had to decide who would go first and last. I decided to go last as everyone else were from further afield and I lived quite local, so hence i had a shorter journey home. When i went in the interview, i was so nervous, but immediately the interviewers made me feel relaxed and at ease. The HR interview consisted of the usual questions about background, education, work experience, decisions you have made, how certain things you have done in your life have changed you/made you react etc. similar sorts of questions as what you were asked in the 2nd stage HR interview. The technical questions from the ATCO were nothing to worry about, just generally a few questions from the pack they give to you for the 1st and 2nd stages (so learn), and a few others which although may seem technical really boil down to basic common sense. I think the best hint i could give you is to not panic, stay calm, think logically and like i said above remember that the interviewers arent really there to trip you up, they just want to see if you what it takes for the job, i found them to be really helpful! Anyway, i wish you all the luck in the world. and maybe i will see you at the college!
kate
kate
