NATS Postings
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Sunny South
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Just to add to the above comments, if you do apply and you are still given the chance to put your preference in, I would suggest that if you want to stay in London, put Scotland as your first choice and you might just get London.
On my course there was a 60/40 split between area and airports, the split actually worked in favour of everyone's choices and you would think that the company would welcome the easy decision, abilities aside. Alas they decided to send people who wanted area to aoerodrome and vice versa. I say abilities aside, as when asked about the decision we were told that it wasn't about ability, but where they thought we would "fit in"
My opinion, don't trust NATS management, as has been suggested before, some people in charge of these things take great satisfaction from sending people to the opposite end of the country than their preference. Staff morale is not a priority of NATS HR.
As an aside I'm quite happy with my posting, so I'm not a bitter contributer, just posting what I experienced.
On my course there was a 60/40 split between area and airports, the split actually worked in favour of everyone's choices and you would think that the company would welcome the easy decision, abilities aside. Alas they decided to send people who wanted area to aoerodrome and vice versa. I say abilities aside, as when asked about the decision we were told that it wasn't about ability, but where they thought we would "fit in"
My opinion, don't trust NATS management, as has been suggested before, some people in charge of these things take great satisfaction from sending people to the opposite end of the country than their preference. Staff morale is not a priority of NATS HR.
As an aside I'm quite happy with my posting, so I'm not a bitter contributer, just posting what I experienced.
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: HANTS
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As a further aside...
...whilst in no way being a defender of either HR or our management,who I have seen screw over a number of close colleagues down the years,it should be noted that decisions on postings seem to be made based on pen portraits provided by the college....probably where the fitting in mentioned above comes from.I have seen a number of such portraits and have to say they appear to be extremely subjective.
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: UK
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I would suggest that if you want to stay in London, put Scotland as your first choice and you might just get London.
It might work, it might not... I don't think NATS sets out to screw anyone, but you will be sent where you are needed. Your opinion will be asked but it really matters not. If ATCOs are needed in Scotland, you'll be in Scotland, if they're needed near London, you'll be in London. Personally I don't think we should ask for preferences since it sets a false expectation.
I know people who've been shafted, and those who've got very lucky.
