ATC private training?
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: in a green land
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self funding
I self funded a few years ago, aged 42 and now working at a busy international airport. I did spend a few months unemployed on completing the courses but I wasn't willing to work just anywhere. If you are going to make this large investment you really have to want to do it, put the work in and accept many months of constructive criticism from instructors and OJTIs to get you up to speed. I was lucky, with great OJTIs at both the places I have worked.
The results are worth it but, easy it isn't. I did my courses at Global and Cwmbran, based on the costs. Worked out about 23 pounds all in.
If you do complete the courses, I suggest you do your homework before accepting any job. Try and speak to ATCOs at the locations, get information about the training team. Some places seem to take a long time to get you through the system and the pay can be low until validated.
It is a great career. The best probably (except perhaps as a quality assurance tester at a Swedish brothel), but the training is difficult and there is some great advice both ways in this thread.
Good Luck whatever you decide. I am glad I made the leap
The results are worth it but, easy it isn't. I did my courses at Global and Cwmbran, based on the costs. Worked out about 23 pounds all in.
If you do complete the courses, I suggest you do your homework before accepting any job. Try and speak to ATCOs at the locations, get information about the training team. Some places seem to take a long time to get you through the system and the pay can be low until validated.
It is a great career. The best probably (except perhaps as a quality assurance tester at a Swedish brothel), but the training is difficult and there is some great advice both ways in this thread.
Good Luck whatever you decide. I am glad I made the leap
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Bromley
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Thanks for the words of wisdom. I'm not going to rush into anything blindly but it's great to hear someone who has managed to do it. And boy do I really want to do it - got a fair bit of knowledge under my belt already from PPL study and being the geek I am I have downloaded and am going through Manual of Air Traffic Services Part 1!
Looking at IAA and Belgocontrol, but if no luck it is Global ATS as Resource Training no longer do ATCO training (which is annoying as Global will not hike the prices up due to monopoly!!)
Looking at IAA and Belgocontrol, but if no luck it is Global ATS as Resource Training no longer do ATCO training (which is annoying as Global will not hike the prices up due to monopoly!!)
Join Date: Sep 2003
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In my opinion it could be a good time to self fund your training if you can afford it as you might fail. The ansp's are doing very little training at the moment due to cutting back of training budgets, this happened 25 years ago and suddenly it was realised that controllers and pilots were needed urgently but couldn't be trained in time to facilitate the growth in traffic. Aviation is a cyclic industry for employment and I think we are at the bottom of the cycle so employment can only increase. I think regional airports will only train their own staff on less money than the older more experienced controllers. Maybe it might be worth doing aerodrome and getting an assistants job, you might not get a job but if you went to uni you are not guaranteed a job. Good luck.
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: UK
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@Cathtor
Did you see the recent announcement on another thread that DFS in Germany were starting up a course training UK ATCO's? Could be another possible route into ATC, and with DFS having recently won the Gatwick contract perhaps it won't be too bleak in terms of job opportunities afterwards.
Also how did you get on looking at IAA and Belgocontrol as possible options?
Did you see the recent announcement on another thread that DFS in Germany were starting up a course training UK ATCO's? Could be another possible route into ATC, and with DFS having recently won the Gatwick contract perhaps it won't be too bleak in terms of job opportunities afterwards.
Also how did you get on looking at IAA and Belgocontrol as possible options?
Join Date: Jun 2014
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Slim chances to get a job after paying a large sum for your training. I know ATCOs who paid for their private training in the UK and they have been unemployed for over 5 years.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Bournemouth
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I just completed my Basic and ADI back in March, self-funded.
Applied for an ATCO job at "an airport in the London area" while still at the college, I start a week Monday.
So it IS possible, and I'm 31
Applied for an ATCO job at "an airport in the London area" while still at the college, I start a week Monday.
So it IS possible, and I'm 31
I know ATCOs who took the risk and paid for their training at 18, got a career out of it & earn good money at a young age.
It can and has been done.
