Looking for ATSA job
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Age: 79
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's how things have always been, Andy. When I left school at 17 I was a lowly CA in the Civil Service - by chance I was sent to MoA Tels HQ which also housed ATC and Ops people. The requirement for ATCA in those days was 5 O levels. I subsequently passed an exam to be a higher grade clerk and applied to ATC for an ATCA post based on the fact that the educational requirements for my new job and those for ATCA were the same. I visited the ATC people and they told me there was nothing they could do - it had to be 5 O levels. My love of aviation, ATC Cadet, etc, etc., had no effect.
So far as I recall, entry to the ATCO grade was 5 O levels and 2 A levels OR recent experience as aircrew or ATCO and that's how I eventually got in. I guess it's different now.
I trained a good many people during my 31 years in "The Ministry" and I agree 100% with your first para above.
So far as I recall, entry to the ATCO grade was 5 O levels and 2 A levels OR recent experience as aircrew or ATCO and that's how I eventually got in. I guess it's different now.
I trained a good many people during my 31 years in "The Ministry" and I agree 100% with your first para above.
I often found those with degrees were far more difficult to train than those with just O and A levels. As Andy says, they didn't have the underlying keenness and interest as an enthusiast.
I knew a FISO who was 'ace' with about 6 in the circuit and others leaving and joining, but he only had 2 O levels, so couldn't even apply to become an assistant in NATS. I suppose the RAF would have took him, but service life doesn't suit everybody.
I knew a FISO who was 'ace' with about 6 in the circuit and others leaving and joining, but he only had 2 O levels, so couldn't even apply to become an assistant in NATS. I suppose the RAF would have took him, but service life doesn't suit everybody.
