Cwmbran ATC College
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Cwmbran ATC College
Hi All,
Has anyone been to this college, if so could you tell me what careers this will lead to (i know ATC but will it lead to international airports e.g. Heathrow, Gatwick, Bristol etc) or is that from Bournemouth?
Thanks
Has anyone been to this college, if so could you tell me what careers this will lead to (i know ATC but will it lead to international airports e.g. Heathrow, Gatwick, Bristol etc) or is that from Bournemouth?
Thanks
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Chrisy08
I've not been to that college, but in view of the fact no one else has answered, I will give you a short, hopefully factually correct answer.
The 'international airports' as you call them Heathrow, Gatwick, Brizzle etc are controlled by NATS controllers - NATS has to bid for the contract to renew it whenever it comes up.
See http://www.nats.co.uk for further airports that NATS controllers work at.
Traditionally, these 'NATS' airports were manned by controllers who have been trained at the college at Hurn (Bournemouth, but nothing to do with the airfield or tower there).
However there is a shortfall of qualified controllers all over and NATS do sometimes take on controllers who already hold a valid TWR/Gnd licence.
The course at Cwmbrawn will furnish you with a student licence which will enable you to apply for jobs where you will need to undergo further 'On the job training' to obtain your full licence.
There are several places where jobs are advertised - Flight magazine being one of them.
I am sure that the staff at Cwmbrawn will be more than happy to advise you if you call them - and I am equally sure that once you are on a course with them, they will give you advice on how to go about finding a position of employment.
Airports are run by a variety of diffeerent agencies, from private companies to local councils.
The trick is to get your student license - thats step one.
Then get a job and become valid. Once you have a few years experience under your belt you can look at moving to another airport if you wish.
You could always try to apply for NATS - though you are more likely statistically to be sent Area rather than App/Twr if you pass the training.
If you are hell bent on being a Twr controller, and paying for your own training, then e-mail or call the guys at Cwmbrawn - they will be more than happy to help you.
I've not been to that college, but in view of the fact no one else has answered, I will give you a short, hopefully factually correct answer.
The 'international airports' as you call them Heathrow, Gatwick, Brizzle etc are controlled by NATS controllers - NATS has to bid for the contract to renew it whenever it comes up.
See http://www.nats.co.uk for further airports that NATS controllers work at.
Traditionally, these 'NATS' airports were manned by controllers who have been trained at the college at Hurn (Bournemouth, but nothing to do with the airfield or tower there).
However there is a shortfall of qualified controllers all over and NATS do sometimes take on controllers who already hold a valid TWR/Gnd licence.
The course at Cwmbrawn will furnish you with a student licence which will enable you to apply for jobs where you will need to undergo further 'On the job training' to obtain your full licence.
There are several places where jobs are advertised - Flight magazine being one of them.
I am sure that the staff at Cwmbrawn will be more than happy to advise you if you call them - and I am equally sure that once you are on a course with them, they will give you advice on how to go about finding a position of employment.
Airports are run by a variety of diffeerent agencies, from private companies to local councils.
The trick is to get your student license - thats step one.
Then get a job and become valid. Once you have a few years experience under your belt you can look at moving to another airport if you wish.
You could always try to apply for NATS - though you are more likely statistically to be sent Area rather than App/Twr if you pass the training.
If you are hell bent on being a Twr controller, and paying for your own training, then e-mail or call the guys at Cwmbrawn - they will be more than happy to help you.
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Chris,
I think you'll find that they were taking the piss, pisz and pizz - it happens a lot when the intended target bites, you'll learn...
Back to Bae Cwmbran, from what I know of ASTAC, realistically there's not much to choose between the two colleges.
I was at Bae last year and although the place is decently enough equipped and the staff are good at what they do, but there was an almighty battle of ego's going on amongst various instructors at the time and it hadn't gone un noticed by many of the customers.
As far as I know the promotion of one ego elsewhere within the company and the promotion of another ego to a position considered worthy by the incumbant has pacified the waters.
At the time Bae had their eye on another site on a new industrial estate directly by the motorway and within staggering distance of the hotel used by many of their customers, far more convenient than battling into Cwmbran every morning, but I don't know if it came to anything.
Whichever you choose, if you are going to self sponsor, get an assesment done first, it'll cost around £300 but save you a lot of dosh if you turn out not to be suitable.
I think you'll find that they were taking the piss, pisz and pizz - it happens a lot when the intended target bites, you'll learn...
Back to Bae Cwmbran, from what I know of ASTAC, realistically there's not much to choose between the two colleges.
I was at Bae last year and although the place is decently enough equipped and the staff are good at what they do, but there was an almighty battle of ego's going on amongst various instructors at the time and it hadn't gone un noticed by many of the customers.
As far as I know the promotion of one ego elsewhere within the company and the promotion of another ego to a position considered worthy by the incumbant has pacified the waters.
At the time Bae had their eye on another site on a new industrial estate directly by the motorway and within staggering distance of the hotel used by many of their customers, far more convenient than battling into Cwmbran every morning, but I don't know if it came to anything.
Whichever you choose, if you are going to self sponsor, get an assesment done first, it'll cost around £300 but save you a lot of dosh if you turn out not to be suitable.
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Cwmbran
Yep, I know them both well (ASTAC and Cwmbran) and there is not much to choose between them. A lot of military use the college to convert to a civil licence. I think the instruction at the colleges is more tailored to ATC assistants with some experience or ex-military controllers. Instructional levels vary but are OK. in my opinion - ASTAC seems ahead in the 'hit parade' at the moment (based on personalities previously mentioned in this thread) An assessment will give you a clue, but I know they will not necessarily give an accurate measure of your ability. Working in ATC as an assistant will give you a better clue. If it is non-NATS, they will sponsor you through one of the colleges after a while (most units are short of controllers). Apply to NATS before you do anything else is my advice. Good luck.
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Chrisy08, just remember to proof-read your posts before submitting (such as remembering the apostrophe in "he's") and bear in mind that some of those who are fastidious about the English language are also fastidious about ATC standards and could very well be your future supervisors or, perhaps as importantly, interviewers.
You do give the impression of having done very little research, and while asking questions here is admittedly a valid means of doing some of that research, there are a couple of books worth reading which will tell you about ATC equipment, airspace structure and more. It'll all be useful information for future interviews, and the more you're prepared to do for yourself, the more likely you are to impress potential employers with your dedication.
I don't know what the current stats are, but it used to be the case that a qualified applicant to NATS had about a 1% chance of ending up as a valid controller. Self-funding no doubt improves the success rate somewhat, but it's still a long slog and the more you can do to help yourself and prepare yourself, the more likely you are to succeed.
Incidentally, those potential employers are don't give a damn about your standard of written English will certainly not mind it happens to be correct. Those who do care about your standard of English will most definitely give a damn if it's wrong....
You do give the impression of having done very little research, and while asking questions here is admittedly a valid means of doing some of that research, there are a couple of books worth reading which will tell you about ATC equipment, airspace structure and more. It'll all be useful information for future interviews, and the more you're prepared to do for yourself, the more likely you are to impress potential employers with your dedication.
I don't know what the current stats are, but it used to be the case that a qualified applicant to NATS had about a 1% chance of ending up as a valid controller. Self-funding no doubt improves the success rate somewhat, but it's still a long slog and the more you can do to help yourself and prepare yourself, the more likely you are to succeed.
Incidentally, those potential employers are don't give a damn about your standard of written English will certainly not mind it happens to be correct. Those who do care about your standard of English will most definitely give a damn if it's wrong....
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I don`t mind that you seem to be illiterate (lamentable though that may be) what concerns me is that when advised, you become belligerent. I wonder how you would behave as a trainee.
In my not inconsiderable experience, the stroppier the trainee, the briefer his tenure.
In my not inconsiderable experience, the stroppier the trainee, the briefer his tenure.
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Look, one of the best controllers I ever had the privilege of working with, couldn`t spell worth a bean. Being in ATC, everyone took the p*ss out of him occasionally (just like I`ve had to endure plenty of the same for my shortcomings). He accepted all of it good naturedly and gave back some cr*p in kind. If you want to come into ATC, which is a great career choice, you had better get used to some fairly robust treatment. In an operational environment, there won`t be too much time spent by others considering the fragility of your ego.
Good luck, the advice was meant kindly.
Good luck, the advice was meant kindly.
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Listen to all the advice
I employ ATCOs.
I get CVs every month from ATCOs looking for jobs.
If they can’t spell or write proper English or can’t be bothered to check their letters, it tells me reams about how careful they will be as a working ATCO. They rarely get past the first post.
If you are serious about entering a profession where mistakes could kill, be professional about how you apply.
I get CVs every month from ATCOs looking for jobs.
If they can’t spell or write proper English or can’t be bothered to check their letters, it tells me reams about how careful they will be as a working ATCO. They rarely get past the first post.
If you are serious about entering a profession where mistakes could kill, be professional about how you apply.
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I return to be enlightened about Cwmbran ATC College. Alas, I am not.
Chrisy08 - stop biting! You're 17, and you still have much to learn young padawan.
Also, please look up the word "heterograph". I spot a large number in your last posts, and they are not the product of lazy typing or silly typos. I think you'll find that is the grammar problem the others are getting at here.
All the best.
Chrisy08 - stop biting! You're 17, and you still have much to learn young padawan.
Also, please look up the word "heterograph". I spot a large number in your last posts, and they are not the product of lazy typing or silly typos. I think you'll find that is the grammar problem the others are getting at here.
All the best.
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Chrisy,
Your thirst for knowledge is admirable, you are obviously keen on a career in aviation/air traffic control. I have noticed that you have only been a member of these boards for a short period yet you have asked many questions and responded to/started many posts.
Whilst I am not an employer, interviewer or a superior I suspect that a keen willingness to learn is something that employers look for in TATC's.
However, I KNOW (because i was told and asked about it at my stage 3 interview) that NATS are particularly keen to find out how you respond to criticism before they employ you.
For exmaple I was asked what I would do if one of my tutors kept giving me bad marks or rubbishing my work even if i was doing my best and believed my work was to a great standard.
The answer is I would ask to speak to them alone and discuss my short comings (if indeed i had any
). The answer was definately not, 'I would stand up infront of the rest of my peers and tell him that even with all of his experience I knew better.
The reality is I am a poor speller and my grammer is pretty shocking too (as it happens i had an A at GCSE in English to go along with 4 A*'s and 3 more A's, I personally do not think school exam results tell us an awful lot about anyone in the real world). I still managed to get through the interview stages and I hope to cope at the college, in fact i hope to excel at the college.
Back to the actual thread and the crux of most of Chrisy's posts and threads. I actually live about 2/3 miles from the cwmbran trainning school and never even considered it an option. It is pretty obvious to me that NATS affords you the best and most ecconomical route to becoming an ATC. It also offers you a route to the major areodromes if that is what you want.
I get the impression (and yes I know that i do not know you personally) that the reason you are looking at Cwmbran so much is that you dont want to leave Wales and whilst I niether wish to leave GOD'S OWN COUNTRY
in this case trying to get a place at NATS is the best way of going about achieving your dream.
All the very best with what ever you do I honestly do think that your eagerness to find out all you can is admirable, however I do think you have a few years of growing up to do before you can really consider a career as an ATC.
Remember dont take things too personally and heed any advise you recieve it could prove to be very valuable in the future.
Good luck
Your thirst for knowledge is admirable, you are obviously keen on a career in aviation/air traffic control. I have noticed that you have only been a member of these boards for a short period yet you have asked many questions and responded to/started many posts.
Whilst I am not an employer, interviewer or a superior I suspect that a keen willingness to learn is something that employers look for in TATC's.
However, I KNOW (because i was told and asked about it at my stage 3 interview) that NATS are particularly keen to find out how you respond to criticism before they employ you.
For exmaple I was asked what I would do if one of my tutors kept giving me bad marks or rubbishing my work even if i was doing my best and believed my work was to a great standard.
The answer is I would ask to speak to them alone and discuss my short comings (if indeed i had any
). The answer was definately not, 'I would stand up infront of the rest of my peers and tell him that even with all of his experience I knew better.The reality is I am a poor speller and my grammer is pretty shocking too (as it happens i had an A at GCSE in English to go along with 4 A*'s and 3 more A's, I personally do not think school exam results tell us an awful lot about anyone in the real world). I still managed to get through the interview stages and I hope to cope at the college, in fact i hope to excel at the college.
Back to the actual thread and the crux of most of Chrisy's posts and threads. I actually live about 2/3 miles from the cwmbran trainning school and never even considered it an option. It is pretty obvious to me that NATS affords you the best and most ecconomical route to becoming an ATC. It also offers you a route to the major areodromes if that is what you want.
I get the impression (and yes I know that i do not know you personally) that the reason you are looking at Cwmbran so much is that you dont want to leave Wales and whilst I niether wish to leave GOD'S OWN COUNTRY
in this case trying to get a place at NATS is the best way of going about achieving your dream.All the very best with what ever you do I honestly do think that your eagerness to find out all you can is admirable, however I do think you have a few years of growing up to do before you can really consider a career as an ATC.
Remember dont take things too personally and heed any advise you recieve it could prove to be very valuable in the future.
Good luck
Last edited by morgstar; 31st May 2008 at 11:00.
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Thank you Vercingetorix for your support.
Morgstar, thank you for you knowledge and understanding of ATC. I have researched alot about this but find that some things are not easy to find so I joind this forum. As you can see in this forum alot of people have been petty picking about me.
I agree, I don't want to leave Wales as I love it here and I am only 17. Cwmbran is about 20miles from me. I do know NATS is much better and is the best way forward for ATC but it is one heck of a journey from here and its very complicated as I am only 17. Thank you also for showing respect for me I much appriciate it. Good luck at college.
Thank you for the advice about criticism
As you can see from this forum some people just don't seem to learn respect.
Thanks
Chris.
Morgstar, thank you for you knowledge and understanding of ATC. I have researched alot about this but find that some things are not easy to find so I joind this forum. As you can see in this forum alot of people have been petty picking about me.
I agree, I don't want to leave Wales as I love it here and I am only 17. Cwmbran is about 20miles from me. I do know NATS is much better and is the best way forward for ATC but it is one heck of a journey from here and its very complicated as I am only 17. Thank you also for showing respect for me I much appriciate it. Good luck at college.
Thank you for the advice about criticism
As you can see from this forum some people just don't seem to learn respect.
Thanks
Chris.
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Chrissy,
There are many 18 year olds at or have recently been through the college, many with a great further distance to travel than from Wales.
Don't let your age be a factor in applying for what I believe is the best ATC career option this country has to offer.
Many people leave home at a young age to pursue their careers, I left home when I was 17 to join the RAF, and didn't look back (until 7 years down the line when I realised the RAF was in fact not the best career move I could have made.)
In conclusion if you want to be an ATCO, apply for NATS, live away from home, do the hard work, have the ups and downs that training brings, then when its all behind you, you can enjoy the good life that you have worked so hard for.
There are many 18 year olds at or have recently been through the college, many with a great further distance to travel than from Wales.
Don't let your age be a factor in applying for what I believe is the best ATC career option this country has to offer.
Many people leave home at a young age to pursue their careers, I left home when I was 17 to join the RAF, and didn't look back (until 7 years down the line when I realised the RAF was in fact not the best career move I could have made.)
In conclusion if you want to be an ATCO, apply for NATS, live away from home, do the hard work, have the ups and downs that training brings, then when its all behind you, you can enjoy the good life that you have worked so hard for.
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WTB,
if you want to know more about Cwmbran send me a private message and I'll give you all the details.
For those reading this thread I can not sing the praises of BAe Cwmbran highly enough.
The Colonel.
if you want to know more about Cwmbran send me a private message and I'll give you all the details.
For those reading this thread I can not sing the praises of BAe Cwmbran highly enough.
The Colonel.
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Thank you for your replys.
Dizzie, I take it you have been to Cwmbran BAe College?
How did you find it, and would it be possible if you could give me as much advice and information about Cwmbran ATC?
Thanks
Chris.
Dizzie, I take it you have been to Cwmbran BAe College?
How did you find it, and would it be possible if you could give me as much advice and information about Cwmbran ATC?
Thanks
Chris.
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How did you find it, and would it be possible if you could give me as much advice and information about Cwmbran ATC?
I would strongly recommend you visit the college and you can find out all you want to know from them.
The staff are extremely helpful and would answer all your questions for you and a visit would give you the opportunity to look around the simulators and talk to the other students already there on courses. You could also stay at the hotel and sample the Dragon Fly (the pub/restaurant next door to the hotel where the majority of the students dine of an evening)
As you are a self sponsor, I'd certainly recommend you visit the other college to compare the two even though I am sure you will be back to BAE in the end.
Either way, get on the phone to the college and speak to them, they are more helpful than you might think.
The head of UK training at BAE can be contacted at [email protected] 01633 835123
Don’t forget you will need a class one medical….
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I am currently researching myself into attending either BAe Cwmbran College or ASTAC Rudloe College at Gloucester Airport in the near future to obtain a UK Aerodrome (ADI) rating. However I am not finding it an easy decision to make- especially when I am faced with the prospect of forking out about £25K all inc!!! Knowing about the success/failure rates at both of the Colleges would be one of the key factors to influence my decision.
Having not worked as an Assistant previously I am also quite keen to learn about the prospects of being taken on at as trainee at a regional airport/aerodrome once I have completed the course.
Anyone else in the same boat as me at the mo?!
Having not worked as an Assistant previously I am also quite keen to learn about the prospects of being taken on at as trainee at a regional airport/aerodrome once I have completed the course.
Anyone else in the same boat as me at the mo?!
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Dizzie,
I am from the Cardiff area of Wales. So if I was to join the BAe college it would not be a difficult journey anyway, so there would be no need to fork out more money on sleeping and eating
I will look into visiting BAe Cwmbran in the very near future and will contact them any help or enquirys.
Thank you very much dizzie it is much appriciated
Chris.
I am from the Cardiff area of Wales. So if I was to join the BAe college it would not be a difficult journey anyway, so there would be no need to fork out more money on sleeping and eating
I will look into visiting BAe Cwmbran in the very near future and will contact them any help or enquirys.
Thank you very much dizzie it is much appriciated
Chris.
