UK experienced controller recruitment

[ollie_a]

As the title says... NATS is now recruiting experienced en route/approach controllers. See http://www.natscareers.co.uk/Vacancies.asp?v=90

[beamwidth]

T and C's

So, any of you NATS types able to shed some light on the T&C's.

The website does not give many specifics, so from an EN-Route perspective...

Swanwick or Prestwick ?

How many positions ?

Permanent or contract ?

Are there Union issues ( existing transfer lists, seniority, etc ) ?

Rosters ?

Where do Direct Entries fit in on the payscale ?

Whats the downside ?

Answers to any or all, via this or PM would be welcomed.

Thanks in advance

BW

[SM4 Pirate]

What Beam said, but no PMs, spill the beans please.

[ock1f]

Lets have the low down and dirty--whats the story?

[Sammer30]

ok i'm guessing but probably not far away....

Swanwick but maybe Manchester (with a move to prestwick when manch does)

????? we are controllers down on last year and its only going to be busier

permanent

trying to keep pension....not sure what you mean by seniority? as for transfer lists if you are valid at a unit getting a move for anything less than an ill member of family....good luck

06.30-13.30 x2 ,13.30-22.00 x2 + 22.00-06.30 x2 or any combination of morning/afternoon spins x2 (mostly slip day if am spins) days off x4

at a guess pretty near, if not at, the bottom once valid...not sure when training (presumably pay scale can be seen on the internet)

i'm guessing pretty much the same issues the world over on this one but... nothing in particular, all in all pretty good company to work for once you are valid.

agian i'm not in hr or a position of power, just a lowly acto and these are my best guesses!

[beamwidth]

Ta

Thanks for that Sammer, some food for thought.

[rybber]

What about experienced, foreign APPROACH controllers?

I hold an ESARR5 license. The listing says Swanwick, but are there any openings in one of the London airports?

What's the payscale like?

Which airports would you serve, working as APP in Swanwick and what's the traffic load?

[Lakeland]

All NATS airports will be included - they are all short. There are several foreign ATCOs in the system here APC and AREA, european and others.
TC works LL, KK, SS annd GW. Traffic medium to heavy plus!

[JustaFew]

Is Manchester approach staying at Manch or relocating with area?

[Loxley]

Manch Approach staying at Manchester.

Last I heard, the 'desperate' units for staff on the airports side are Heathrow (apparently losing staff to the ME), Glasgow and Edinburgh. Therefore, expect postings to Southampton, Aberporth and Birmingham or some other such cock-up!

In seriousness though, apparently Heathrow, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Gatwick are all more short than others (happy to be corrected) so presumably that's where the recruits would go?

[rybber]

Ok, thanks for your response guys.

What's the pay like in the London area?
Where is TC for LL, KK, SS located?

Anything else you can shed light on will be appreciated, like general terms of employment, breaks, holidays etc?

[Roger That]

There's are probably opportunties at all 3 En-Route sites for experienced ATCOs (and remember at Prestwick, for those with the right tickets, that means Ocean too )

[45 before POL]

Rybber tc now located on south coast between southampton and portsmouth.
As for pay the scale starts at 51k including shift rising to over 85k. If you end up at heathrow tower same scale,, other airfields on a sliding scale below that.

[rybber]

45 before POL: How far will that pay get you in terms of living costs? Housing prices around London have a tendency to soar, so I have heard.

How are they coping with payrises in the ME, what is NATS doing to prevent people running off?

[2.5 miles]

Rybber

TC incorporates the approach radar for Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Biggin Hill. Previous speculative applicants (those who submitted applications ad hoc) were considered and mainly recruited for the new London LARS being provided from Farnborough (caution, positions were only being offered for approach work at Farnborough, in the London area, certainly until recently). Airfileds, particularly Heathrow, and less so, Gatwick need Aerodrome controllers.

Shift pattern 6 on 4 off 30(I think) days a/l, plus 8 public holidays.

From what I understand, the union are a little miffed, since consultation on this recruitment drive was somewhat brief! There are staff at regional units trying to get to centres and major airports, some trade off may be possible, but as usual I suspect that "business needs must come first".

Housing costs around London? House prices, expect to pay circa £500-600K for modest 4 bed house. South Coast Swanwick area not a lot different maybe 5-10% less. Prices are fairly stagnant/falling dependent on area sought. NATS pay figures, I believe fairly accurately indicated above. Don't expect the top whack, they will naturally try and get you on the cheap. Not sure what relocation they will offer you, if any. Should you proceed and get that far PM me.

Good Luck.
2.5

[MNT]

A/L

Its 28 days annual leave at the outset rising to 33 after 10 years although I think the increments start after 5 years but can't remember the exact details.

[1985]

28 days A/L from the start
30 days after 7 years
33 days after 10 years

[waldorf]

Any applicants been called for interview yet or received feedback from HR stating how long before the interview rounds would start?

[takemeaway]

Spoke to HR. Expect interviews in may/june

[Mr Red]

1985, isn't it

28 days
2 extra after 8 years
3 extra after 10

??