Self funding ATC course

[flygirl78]

Hello all,

I am another NATS student who has failed summatives and is not being given the opportunity to re-course.

I have asked to be put onto their Aerodrome course, but that is not an option either, although my instructors think that my skills would be better placed in aerodrome.

I´m thinking of going down the self-funded route and going to one of the private ATC colleges to get my student license, and have been looking into what is required etc.

Does anyone out there have any information about how successful previous students have been in getting jobs lined up before leaving the colleges? I am very determined, and will definitely be putting the work in to trying to secure a position at a tower in time for me leaving the college, but I was curious to find out the success rates for this.

Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

FG78

[flyer2004]

Flygirl,
Try BAE Systems training college at Cwmbran I know quite a few ex NATS people have been successful in passing courses and finding work after. Google the college for their details. Good luck

[Sligu]

I know that HIAL have taken on ex nats cadets and funded them, including me. Also try ASTAC, they do some form of cadet scheme though I’m not sure exactly how it works. And I also think they offer some form of degree course in atc which you may get government funding for. I was in your position not that long ago and am now valid and an OJTI so Good Luck!

[flygirl78]

Thanksfor the advice, guys.

I am going to see the Bae college next week, and I will definitely look into HIAL.

Sligu, I was told by the college that if you have passed the common core element of the Basic NATS course, you don´t have to do it again if you start training elsewhere within 6 months. Did this happen to you?

[Spitoon]

flygirl, you'll find all the rules about what training can be 'carried over' in CAP744. It's one of those books that, once you've put it down, you just can't pick it up again - but it has all the answers!

[flygirl78]

I know what you mean, Spitoon! I´ll have a look, thank you.

[Sligu]

yea you can carry over the basic from nats to any other ATC college.

[coolbeans]

I know a fair few people who have found a job whilst at Cwmbran. Also at least one Nats chap who took his Basic course from Nats to Cwmbran, self funded his ADI course, got a job at an airport who sponsored his Approach ticket, so its definately doable.

Best of luck

[matspart3]

On a slightly cautionary note, I've had 3 similar CV's to yours in as many weeks. There are also a lot of ex-military ATCO's taking the same route at the moment. They'll probably be able to lay claim to a fair bit more operational experience than you when it comes to interview. It's worth bearing in mind that most non-NATS units will expect/need you to train for an Approach function at some future point.

It's not exactly a 'buyer's market' for ATC managers at the moment as there don't seem to be many experienced, fully rated civilian ATCO's on the move in the current climate. There will continue to be opportunities for partially qualified people, but I suspect there are/will be quite a few to choose from in the short to medium term.

[rodan]

It's not exactly a 'buyer's market' for ATC managers at the moment

Interesting, because I haven't seen many job adverts in the back of Flight in recent months. If the fully-rated vacancies are there and employers are having trouble filling them, then why aren't they being advertised? I suspect a lot of airports have recruitment freezes in the current climate and are happy to let ATC run under-staffed.

[matspart3]

Rodan
Perhaps it's the advertising budget that's been cut! Spent nearly £4k last time we advertised in Flight and only got one CV that met the requirements.

Admittedly the salary was cr@p, which might have had something to do with it. It's much better now...PM me if you want a job

[flygirl78]

Approach is definitely what I would like to do in the future, I just want to get my foot in the door and work hard to reach that goal, and I think that this would be the way to do it. You will probably see my CV in the next few days!

I understand that military guys will have more experience practically, but I am sure that potential and drive are also spotted and considered, even in a person that does not have quite so much practical experience under their belt?

Thank you for your feedback, it´s nice to see that people are wiling to advise, as everyone started at the bottom at one point!!

FG78

[feonagh]

Hey flygirl78. I'm in exactly the same position as you right now, so just wanted to say thanks for this thread. I'm finding it very useful. Thanks to everyone who responded, it was very kind of you.

[Charlie23]

Be lucky!!

IMHO, as ex RAF, ASTAC, Cwmbran, OJTI and LCE (now NATS)! - persist and be determined - you will get a job. In a few years there will be vacancies all over the place!! However, to succeed you must have the aptitude for (and more importantly) enjoy both tower and radar. Only you will know that. Also, be prepared to move as, in the early days, you will have to accept jobs irrespective of geographical location. TOP TIP - Negotiate on price with the colleges - it is not a fixed tariff by the way.!! Good luck

[Vavavoom]

Hi all,

First of all, sorry fg78 for smooching off your thread, but I have found it helpful and encouraging!

I am in a slightly different situation, already got an adi, adv ticket, but still need first validation.

Not really having a good time finding an airfield that will take me on at the moment. Can anyone give any pointers on where to look? I have covered all the usual channels i.e. check flight magazine, airports websites etc...

I am very passionate about this job, have always wanted to work in this position, studied something slightly related in uni (engineering at a top 5 uni), and love love love all elements of this job. Really want to stay in it, and have been encouraged to stay in this job by all my colleagues, just not really sure how.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

If this doesnt work out, as an alternative (i like to make backups for myself), can anyone recommend any other training/qualifications which may give me more accreditation towards being hired in something other than ATC?

[Sligu]

VAVAVOOM was in the same position a couple of years ago try a Cv mail drop, followed by as many tower visits as you can possibly make. For further training all i can suggest is doing your APP or APS this will make a big difference to prospective employers. Good luck and if you need any help PM me.

[flygirl78]

Thanks Charlie 23, it's great to hear some encouragement. I dont mind moving, it's just a case of getting somewhere to take me on! I'm working on it, though. I'm trying to arrange tower visits too, as I think that will help me when applying. If anyone out there is happy to arrange for me to visit their tower, please PM me. I'm calling round too but I could use a bit of assistance from anyone willing to offer!

[Jetset Willy]

FG78 - Ive sent you a PM

[Vavavoom]

Me too. If anyone can help me out arranging visits and meetings with SATCO's Id greatly appreciate it!

[theflyinggoose]

job hunting after self sponsoring

I completed my ADI a few months ago (self sponsored) and am very grateful to have found a job.

I spent a fortune driving around visiting units and made a load of phone calls.
This is a much more effective way of going about it. For a start it gets your face known which is valuable in an industry where everybody knows everybody.

Its always worth visiting units that may not even be hiring. ATC is a dynamic environment where jobs could pop up unexpectedly due to retirements, loss of medicals and so on.

Also having the right attitude paid off. I was willing to work anywhere as I knew it would be hard trying to find that first ATCO role especially with a lot of ex mil doing the transition to civil as well.

Hope this info is useful