July 03 course to become Jan 04?
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Just found out that my referees have been contacted by Recruitment requesting references to be sent back to NATS within 7 days. Maybe July will happen after all eh? Surely they can't be THAT organsied to have sent them out now for October..........................??????? 
MR XxX
MR XxX
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don't hold your breath.........
Just heard from a v. reliable source who's in BOH @ the mo doing sim stuff that July is canx 
All recruitment is on hold between Apr - Oct too. I am gutted
Was all set to hand my notice in in June!
Anyway this info came to him pretty much from the horses mouth down @ CATC so I think there's a good chance of it being correct.
Any advances? I'll post any further info as I get it.
A very sad MR XxX
All recruitment is on hold between Apr - Oct too. I am gutted
Was all set to hand my notice in in June!Anyway this info came to him pretty much from the horses mouth down @ CATC so I think there's a good chance of it being correct.
Any advances? I'll post any further info as I get it.
A very sad MR XxX
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I was contacted by recruitment on tuesday last week to ask if it was okay to contact my work for a reference. I thought it was looking fairly promising that July would be going ahead after all, so I said yes. If you read the first section of the link below then it suggests otherwise, however.
Frequently Asked Questions. (Cheers Vector Line!!
)
I presume, MR, if your source is telling you that then it must be pretty accurate.
Great timing as I told my work last week that I'd probably be leaving in a couple of months!!! They're going to love me!
FB
Frequently Asked Questions. (Cheers Vector Line!!
)I presume, MR, if your source is telling you that then it must be pretty accurate.
Great timing as I told my work last week that I'd probably be leaving in a couple of months!!! They're going to love me!
FB
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Recruitment stopped???
Recruitment stopped as of April - October? Does this mean that us poor lot who have only "just" sat the 2nd stage interviews in February, are not going to get a provisional offer, no matter how well we did?
This would explain the delay in the reply from HR/Recruitment then.................. (unless the "no news = good news" adage really is true when it comes to NATS??)
This would explain the delay in the reply from HR/Recruitment then.................. (unless the "no news = good news" adage really is true when it comes to NATS??)
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By my understanding...
New recruitment is on hold until July/August. Bournemouth courses are 'full' until July 04. I assume if you are already past the 1st interview stage the process will continue.
As an upside to the huge delays they are still some 250 ATCOs short and courses when restructured will all me 12 months instead of 18 months!
New recruitment is on hold until July/August. Bournemouth courses are 'full' until July 04. I assume if you are already past the 1st interview stage the process will continue.
As an upside to the huge delays they are still some 250 ATCOs short and courses when restructured will all me 12 months instead of 18 months!
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Recruitment is moving premises from London down to Southampton, which is why there will be no new recruitment from July through to maybe Sept/Oct, just while they get themselves sorted and settled in.
MR XxX
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As an upside to the huge delays they are still some 250 ATCOs short and courses when restructured will all me 12 months instead of 18 months!
Now all most folk will do is area training and, if they fail, it's probably the end of the line for them, atc-wise.
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MR, what do you mean 'make a decision'?
Was due to sit 2nd stage interview a few weeks ago and got a LETTER
(they could have at least called) two days beforehand to say it had been cancelled and they hoped to re-arrange for the end of April.
Emailed HR this week and got a shrift response saying they were in the process of trying to arrange new dates and would be in touch.
As well as re-jigging the courses they should flippin well sort out the recruitment process in general. Considering they demand such a high level of work and commitment from applicants, they don't half muck us around!
Something else I've noticed is that there's a fair amount of folks out there who failed to get into NATS but went on and did really well at Eurocontrol. Surely that's an indication that the recruitment process needs looked at.
Anyway, enough of my moaning!!
Best of luck to all applicants and those lucky ducks on the college waiting list!! Maybe see you in oooo 5 years time!!
A16
Was due to sit 2nd stage interview a few weeks ago and got a LETTER
(they could have at least called) two days beforehand to say it had been cancelled and they hoped to re-arrange for the end of April. Emailed HR this week and got a shrift response saying they were in the process of trying to arrange new dates and would be in touch.
As well as re-jigging the courses they should flippin well sort out the recruitment process in general. Considering they demand such a high level of work and commitment from applicants, they don't half muck us around!
Something else I've noticed is that there's a fair amount of folks out there who failed to get into NATS but went on and did really well at Eurocontrol. Surely that's an indication that the recruitment process needs looked at.
Anyway, enough of my moaning!!
Best of luck to all applicants and those lucky ducks on the college waiting list!! Maybe see you in oooo 5 years time!! A16
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Hey DA, leave the kid alone!!
Actually Alpha 16's attitude is exactly the same as most ATCOs - hardened cynicism is normal and should be part of the rating course! That said, if I was Alpha 16 I might want to keep it in check whilst a student and trainee.
Talking of training, you may be justifiably unimpressed at the delays to the start of your ATCO career but at least take comfort that you are going to recieve arguably the best ATC training to be had anywhere in the world.
Actually Alpha 16's attitude is exactly the same as most ATCOs - hardened cynicism is normal and should be part of the rating course! That said, if I was Alpha 16 I might want to keep it in check whilst a student and trainee.
Talking of training, you may be justifiably unimpressed at the delays to the start of your ATCO career but at least take comfort that you are going to recieve arguably the best ATC training to be had anywhere in the world.
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What's going on????
No, A16 is more than right. HR do not seem to realise/care that people have other things going on in their lives other than applying to become an ATCO in NATS. By my reckoning, the shortest possible time it will take for me to complete recruitment will be 2 and a half years - sorry, but I must be damn keen to muck myself, the girlfriend, the mortgage and the pet goldfish 
around for that long on the off chance I may land a fantastic job.
A16 is right. People will not consider NATS if they knew about how long the actual application process will take and go to Eurocontrol.
As in any other field, if you want the best people to join your organisation, you have to do everything you can to make them feel wanted. Not keep them dangling with vague answers (if you get one - lucky swine A16, they actually replied to you!)
HR, sort it out, please!!!!
around for that long on the off chance I may land a fantastic job.A16 is right. People will not consider NATS if they knew about how long the actual application process will take and go to Eurocontrol.
As in any other field, if you want the best people to join your organisation, you have to do everything you can to make them feel wanted. Not keep them dangling with vague answers (if you get one - lucky swine A16, they actually replied to you!) HR, sort it out, please!!!!
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Weselfluren,
I know exactly what you mean about the HR. Been accepted on the course, been for the medical, done the security questionaires etc etc, but its the life on hold thing that I can't accept no more. Meant to be starting on a course that no-one can tell me if it is running or not or how much longer I could be hanging around for.
As a result someone has just offered me another job which I think I will be taking and withdrawing. Seems a shame because I really wanted to go into the service, but just for ineffectivity of the recruitment system they have lost someone that they had felt could do the job, in a time when they are desperately short of controllers!
I know exactly what you mean about the HR. Been accepted on the course, been for the medical, done the security questionaires etc etc, but its the life on hold thing that I can't accept no more. Meant to be starting on a course that no-one can tell me if it is running or not or how much longer I could be hanging around for.
As a result someone has just offered me another job which I think I will be taking and withdrawing. Seems a shame because I really wanted to go into the service, but just for ineffectivity of the recruitment system they have lost someone that they had felt could do the job, in a time when they are desperately short of controllers!
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Goidel,
am truly sorry to hear that you have decided not to go through with a career path with NATS. I myself am not quite at the "almost in" stage, and have yet to sit my 2nd technical interview (had a near miss apparently..... )
I must say that being a trusting person, once (or should I say if - best not to tempt fate) I am given a start date, I shall be prepared to wait - as that's part of the whole process, or so I suspect
My main worry is that as a "middle aged applicant" in the mid twenties, I'll be too old to start my course by the time I'm allocated one!! All I'll say about HR, is that they are a really poor advertisement for the whole organisation (if ATCO's couldn't give pilots a direct answer, then what would happen
??). Eurocontrol do come across as a little more organised, wanting to recruit you (supply and demand thing)
and able to give you an outline of the whole process - with a believable timetable to boot. If I'm still left in a cloud of uncertainty in 6 months time, then my application will be going there, despite the fact I'll know there's no chance of Approach or Aerodrome control.
Why is it that we never hear of any Eurocontrol applicants having similar problems with that process? Don't forget, there's a language barrier, slightly bigger logistical distance for you to physically cross for interview (and for that all-important letter to arrive ), but they still seem to be more efficient.
NATS HR will be in serious trouble soon, as people won't wait forever, and then they'll face the shortages of the early-mid 90's again. I for one am not put off from ATC, but will be more than happy once I pass through this particular loop .
Best of luck to all applicants, stick it out, as from what I've seen and hear it really is a job worth waiting for
!
am truly sorry to hear that you have decided not to go through with a career path with NATS. I myself am not quite at the "almost in" stage, and have yet to sit my 2nd technical interview (had a near miss apparently.....
)I must say that being a trusting person, once (or should I say if - best not to tempt fate) I am given a start date, I shall be prepared to wait - as that's part of the whole process, or so I suspect
My main worry is that as a "middle aged applicant" in the mid twenties, I'll be too old to start my course by the time I'm allocated one!! All I'll say about HR, is that they are a really poor advertisement for the whole organisation (if ATCO's couldn't give pilots a direct answer, then what would happen ??). Eurocontrol do come across as a little more organised, wanting to recruit you (supply and demand thing) and able to give you an outline of the whole process - with a believable timetable to boot. If I'm still left in a cloud of uncertainty in 6 months time, then my application will be going there, despite the fact I'll know there's no chance of Approach or Aerodrome control. Why is it that we never hear of any Eurocontrol applicants having similar problems with that process? Don't forget, there's a language barrier, slightly bigger logistical distance for you to physically cross for interview (and for that all-important letter to arrive ), but they still seem to be more efficient.NATS HR will be in serious trouble soon, as people won't wait forever, and then they'll face the shortages of the early-mid 90's again. I for one am not put off from ATC, but will be more than happy once I pass through this particular loop
.Best of luck to all applicants, stick it out, as from what I've seen and hear it really is a job worth waiting for
!
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A16 and other hopefuls
I take the point about the courtesy of giving reasonable notice when things change. That could be done better. NATS is not unique in this, however.
You seem to think that because you have done a lot of hard work for the interviews etc you are owed something. That is not the case. I am sure you realise that many who do an equal amount of work, or more, will not be selected. That might be the case for you, so prepare yourself for disappointment if it happens. All the same, good luck in your endeavours.
NATS is not obliged to recruit to the convenience of those who might apply. Similarly you are all free agents and if you chose to drop your interest and go elsewhere that is your choice. NATS will obviously lose some able recruits that way, but that is in the nature of recruitment - for any organisation.
I would like to see recruitment handled locally for the big units. It would probably overcome some of the shortcomings that have irritated you. Recruits would know where they were going from the outset, have the interviews on site, and get a more accurate idea of timescales etc. Similarly the units, like Swanwick, would have an early sight of who they are getting and take an active interest in their recruits' training and development right from the start. Don't know if it will ever happen though!
I take the point about the courtesy of giving reasonable notice when things change. That could be done better. NATS is not unique in this, however.
You seem to think that because you have done a lot of hard work for the interviews etc you are owed something. That is not the case. I am sure you realise that many who do an equal amount of work, or more, will not be selected. That might be the case for you, so prepare yourself for disappointment if it happens. All the same, good luck in your endeavours.
NATS is not obliged to recruit to the convenience of those who might apply. Similarly you are all free agents and if you chose to drop your interest and go elsewhere that is your choice. NATS will obviously lose some able recruits that way, but that is in the nature of recruitment - for any organisation.
I would like to see recruitment handled locally for the big units. It would probably overcome some of the shortcomings that have irritated you. Recruits would know where they were going from the outset, have the interviews on site, and get a more accurate idea of timescales etc. Similarly the units, like Swanwick, would have an early sight of who they are getting and take an active interest in their recruits' training and development right from the start. Don't know if it will ever happen though!
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You seem to think that because you have done a lot of hard work for the interviews etc you are owed something.
NATS has high expectations from it's applicants so why shouldn't we therefore, expect the same level of service from them?
That is not the case. I am sure you realise that many who do an equal amount of work, or more, will not be selected. That might be the case for you, so prepare yourself for disappointment if it happens
Similarly you are all free agents and if you chose to drop your interest and go elsewhere that is your choice.
Surely if NATS are serious about resolving their controller shortage problem then they must acknowledge and appreciate that a good number of the candidates their interviewers knock back are in fact, up to the job as they go on to suceed elsewhere.
weselfluren - just watch out, Eurocontrol have an age limit of 25. As in, if your 25, your too old. They accept people up to the age of 27 if you have aviation experience.
A16
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Hear hear!!
Well said A16!!
I cannot agree more - why should an applicant owe a company anything?? Next thing we'll be told by others that we ought to pay NATS for the privilage of working for them (I've heard it's a great job but that just takes the p ss!)
As for the Eurocontrol age limits, well let's just say I've got a couple of years left to go before that door shuts - and if NATS can't get into gear, then I'll make the application prior to hitting that particular barrier. Don't want to upset too many HR staff and leave clues to my actual identity......
Cheers for the reminder though!!
One question that has not yet arisen - did NATS have these problems before the Public/Private partnership?? Maybe the organisation has become a little rudderless since.......
Also, us applicants are entitled to our views as it affects us!!
Best of luck to all those embarking on (or trying too) a career in ATC, and a big thank you to all those positive ATCO's out there who give us your time and knowledge.
You are our best source of info and our biggest encouragement.and a big thank you to all those positive ATCO's out there who give us your time and knowledge.
I cannot agree more - why should an applicant owe a company anything?? Next thing we'll be told by others that we ought to pay NATS for the privilage of working for them
(I've heard it's a great job but that just takes the p ss!)As for the Eurocontrol age limits, well let's just say I've got a couple of years left to go before that door shuts - and if NATS can't get into gear, then I'll make the application prior to hitting that particular barrier. Don't want to upset too many HR staff and leave clues to my actual identity......
Cheers for the reminder though!!
One question that has not yet arisen - did NATS have these problems before the Public/Private partnership?? Maybe the organisation has become a little rudderless since.......
Also, us applicants are entitled to our views as it affects us!!
Best of luck to all those embarking on (or trying too) a career in ATC, and a big thank you to all those positive ATCO's out there who give us your time and knowledge.
You are our best source of info and our biggest encouragement.
and a big thank you to all those positive ATCO's out there who give us your time and knowledge.
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boney m and all on oct 03 course,
just had references sent out to appropriate people for this course start date......whether this means it's a go ahead or not,God only knows.
As someone who's been accepted on this course and is pushing the wrong side of 30 fairly rapidly,I sympathise with the comments made on this topic by other wannabees.All we want is answers.....if a company can be held responsible for controlling the UK's airspace I'm sure they could give a simple answer to a question that is bothering many people.
Personally I'm sticking it out as it's my life ambition to get in that tower at EGLL.........but NATS......PATIENCE IS WEARING THIN!!!
just had references sent out to appropriate people for this course start date......whether this means it's a go ahead or not,God only knows.
As someone who's been accepted on this course and is pushing the wrong side of 30 fairly rapidly,I sympathise with the comments made on this topic by other wannabees.All we want is answers.....if a company can be held responsible for controlling the UK's airspace I'm sure they could give a simple answer to a question that is bothering many people.
Personally I'm sticking it out as it's my life ambition to get in that tower at EGLL.........but NATS......PATIENCE IS WEARING THIN!!!