July 03 course to become Jan 04?
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July 03 course to become Jan 04?
I keep hearing different stories from sources both on here and within NATS............
I am meant to be on July 03 course, but recently heard that a number of us (about 15) will have to start in Oct due to high failure rate on a current course. THEN heard that it's more likely to be Jan 04
and that they are stopping all recruitment with immediate effect.
Recruitment dept. say they don't know anything, and just to wait and see. Anyone know anything else?
MR XxX
I am meant to be on July 03 course, but recently heard that a number of us (about 15) will have to start in Oct due to high failure rate on a current course. THEN heard that it's more likely to be Jan 04
and that they are stopping all recruitment with immediate effect.Recruitment dept. say they don't know anything, and just to wait and see. Anyone know anything else?
MR XxX
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MR,
Where do these rumours come from?!I'm on the Oct 2003 course and am now getting a bit freaked by it all......presumably I'm even lower than you in the pecking order and am thinking Apr2004 now for a start date........which would be fine except I hate my current job and cant hack an extra 7 months,as well as the fact that I am absolutely itching to get on the scopes!
Can someone please enlighten us poor souls who are,apparently,so near yet so far!
P.s. If I dont get shafted,hope to see you in Oct 2003 mate!
Where do these rumours come from?!I'm on the Oct 2003 course and am now getting a bit freaked by it all......presumably I'm even lower than you in the pecking order and am thinking Apr2004 now for a start date........which would be fine except I hate my current job and cant hack an extra 7 months,as well as the fact that I am absolutely itching to get on the scopes!
Can someone please enlighten us poor souls who are,apparently,so near yet so far!
P.s. If I dont get shafted,hope to see you in Oct 2003 mate!
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Sorry to be so blunt, but welcome to the world of ATC.....
As a very old, experienced controller was once heard to say, "Never let the truth stand in the way of a good rumour!"
The only advice that I can offer is wait for something in writing to turn up. Then wait for that to be superceded by further advice in writing (Sorry, that's being unkind). If you have received notice of a course number (or date), then until you get WRITTEN advice saying otherwise, don't listen to rumours.
The Rumour Mill in ATC is a great thing, especially when you hear something about yourself sometimes. Like dates of when TC moves to Swanwick..........(unkind again, sorry!)
All the best.
As a very old, experienced controller was once heard to say, "Never let the truth stand in the way of a good rumour!"
The only advice that I can offer is wait for something in writing to turn up. Then wait for that to be superceded by further advice in writing (Sorry, that's being unkind). If you have received notice of a course number (or date), then until you get WRITTEN advice saying otherwise, don't listen to rumours.
The Rumour Mill in ATC is a great thing, especially when you hear something about yourself sometimes. Like dates of when TC moves to Swanwick..........(unkind again, sorry!)
All the best.
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?
Hi I too am confused about this.
I have a contact who works at the college and say's that the reason for the backlog is because they are re designing the course. I'm not sure how credible this information is though.
I have a contact who works at the college and say's that the reason for the backlog is because they are re designing the course. I'm not sure how credible this information is though.
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A reliable source at the college tells me that the April course is definitely cancelled and the July one is likely to be as well. Reasons are the re-design of the course and also that NATS can't afford another load of students at this time.
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Fraid not alpha
I'm supposed to be on the same course as Min Rest and also don't have a clue what's going on.
I spoke to someone in recruitment a couple of weeks ago who said that a decision would be made by the end of January, but obviously not.
Until i'm told otherwise i'll still assume i'm on the July '03 course but I won't be surprised if (when?!?) i'm told it's been put back by 6-12 months!!
Question is whether I can stick it out in my current job til then!!
FB
I'm supposed to be on the same course as Min Rest and also don't have a clue what's going on.
I spoke to someone in recruitment a couple of weeks ago who said that a decision would be made by the end of January, but obviously not.
Until i'm told otherwise i'll still assume i'm on the July '03 course but I won't be surprised if (when?!?) i'm told it's been put back by 6-12 months!!
Question is whether I can stick it out in my current job til then!!
FB
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Doesn't sound all that good for me then as I am meant to be starting on the Jan 04 course, but if that is going to be filled up with this years intake does that mean its going to be an even longer wait for me?
Is this a test to see how dedicated you are to being an ATCO, whether you can put your life on hold for 18 months or so till they deem you can start! Doesn't inspire confidence in your future employers does it!!!
Is this a test to see how dedicated you are to being an ATCO, whether you can put your life on hold for 18 months or so till they deem you can start! Doesn't inspire confidence in your future employers does it!!!
I see this is another major achievement in the development of NATS training. Just a few years ago it used to take large amounts of time and effort by management to get recruits to the required level of disillusionment and cynicism so that they "gelled" with their more senior colleagues. Now we are ensuring that they arrive in the correct frame of mind. Well done everybody!!!
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1. April 03 course is not cancelled. Sorry 250kts, but your source was a tad premature. 
2. The entire course is being over-hauled which may require a reduced output from the college for a short period [one or two courses] to work through the changes from old to new system. the new course will be shorter, but will focus on training ATCOs for the skills they will actually use. No more Tower ticket for Area controllers.
3. The large amount of trainees in the system at the moment are not due to high failure rate. The much publicised shortage of ATCOs also means a shortage of instructors both at the college, and at LACC, made worse by last-years shift from West Drayton. Any reduced intake into Area Training will be used to reduce the backlog, and thus improve the chances of subsequent trainees validating. Thus you are better off waiting pre-college, than hanging around forgetting what you have learned half-way through.
Numpo 'fraid I agree, although the lack of timely decisions was not the fault of recruitment, but down to a Mr Cheese Holme. It would have suited everyone's purpose better if April had been cancelled to sort out the mess, but t'was not politically expedient.
2. The entire course is being over-hauled which may require a reduced output from the college for a short period [one or two courses] to work through the changes from old to new system. the new course will be shorter, but will focus on training ATCOs for the skills they will actually use. No more Tower ticket for Area controllers.
3. The large amount of trainees in the system at the moment are not due to high failure rate. The much publicised shortage of ATCOs also means a shortage of instructors both at the college, and at LACC, made worse by last-years shift from West Drayton. Any reduced intake into Area Training will be used to reduce the backlog, and thus improve the chances of subsequent trainees validating. Thus you are better off waiting pre-college, than hanging around forgetting what you have learned half-way through.
Numpo 'fraid I agree, although the lack of timely decisions was not the fault of recruitment, but down to a Mr Cheese Holme. It would have suited everyone's purpose better if April had been cancelled to sort out the mess, but t'was not politically expedient.
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Dances with Boffins
Not politically expedient to cancel the April course but would it be considered such to cancel the July one?!?
You also say that reduced output from the college may be required. Does this mean they're considering cancelling some courses after April? Or are they just going cut back on recruitment and reassign some people to later courses than originally intended (but continue starting courses every 3 months without any cancellations) to reduce class sizes?
FB
the lack of timely decisions was not the fault of recruitment, but down to a Mr Cheese Holme. It would have suited everyone's purpose better if April had been cancelled to sort out the mess, but t'was not politically expedient.
You also say that reduced output from the college may be required. Does this mean they're considering cancelling some courses after April? Or are they just going cut back on recruitment and reassign some people to later courses than originally intended (but continue starting courses every 3 months without any cancellations) to reduce class sizes?
FB
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Fly Bhoy
Much as I'd love to put your worries to rest, I am unable to answer your [quite proper] question, because at the moment I, and I suspect, management right up to Board level, don't know.
What is known is that there is no way that Area training can shift from the old course to the new without either a]cancelling one AREA intake [which amounts to 80% of each course], or b] reducing the AREA intake over a whole year by about a third, as there are not enough instructors or simulators at the college to run full old and new courses side by side. However LACC is still screaming for more controllers as anyone reading this forum over the last year can attest, so reducing the college output by even one course will result in some very pointed questions being asked at board level.
Someone will have to bite the bullet and make a decision, but at the moment no-one is blinking[remember the three way gunfight in 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly?].
The only ray of sunshine is that it should be sorted by the time you start training, which will improve your chances of making the grade at your final unit . Doesn't make your life at the moment any rosier, but hang tough. NATS really does need ATCOs, and they will continue to do so long after you are safely valid and gazing lovingly at some electric tadpoles.
Much as I'd love to put your worries to rest, I am unable to answer your [quite proper] question, because at the moment I, and I suspect, management right up to Board level, don't know.
What is known is that there is no way that Area training can shift from the old course to the new without either a]cancelling one AREA intake [which amounts to 80% of each course], or b] reducing the AREA intake over a whole year by about a third, as there are not enough instructors or simulators at the college to run full old and new courses side by side. However LACC is still screaming for more controllers as anyone reading this forum over the last year can attest, so reducing the college output by even one course will result in some very pointed questions being asked at board level.
Someone will have to bite the bullet and make a decision, but at the moment no-one is blinking[remember the three way gunfight in 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly?].
The only ray of sunshine is that it should be sorted by the time you start training, which will improve your chances of making the grade at your final unit . Doesn't make your life at the moment any rosier, but hang tough. NATS really does need ATCOs, and they will continue to do so long after you are safely valid and gazing lovingly at some electric tadpoles.
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Boffins.
We have clashed in the past.
But with this thread you have got it right on the nose.
What a sorry state we have got into.
I feel so sorry for all the students now.
Continue to give it your best. You are doing a great job.
All Wannabes, keep applying. It's a great job.
Regards to SH, NW, ST, JH, CS + others, most on Area.
Mr G.
We have clashed in the past.
But with this thread you have got it right on the nose.
What a sorry state we have got into.
I feel so sorry for all the students now.
Continue to give it your best. You are doing a great job.
All Wannabes, keep applying. It's a great job.
Regards to SH, NW, ST, JH, CS + others, most on Area.
Mr G.
Last edited by Mr_Grubby; 6th Feb 2003 at 17:23.
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Dances with Boffins
Cheers for clearing some things up.
Guess we'll just have to wait and see what the final decision is. It won't put me off, having to wait an extra 3-6 months, but will just be a bit annoying as i'd kind of got my hopes pinned on starting in July.
I suppose its going to affect someone in the end though so may as well be the July course as any other one!!
At least that way we'll get to start our training on the new (improved?!?!? ) course!
Cheers again.
FB
Cheers for clearing some things up.
Guess we'll just have to wait and see what the final decision is. It won't put me off, having to wait an extra 3-6 months, but will just be a bit annoying as i'd kind of got my hopes pinned on starting in July.
I suppose its going to affect someone in the end though so may as well be the July course as any other one!!
At least that way we'll get to start our training on the new (improved?!?!? ) course!Cheers again.
FB
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D with B,
As flybhoy says,thanks for clearing up some of the uncertainty.
I too will not be put off by having to wait a bit longer,particularly if it will benefit us in the long run.
While I'm spouting off,can someone tell me at what point in the process you get to choose(if thats the case) between Area and Approach training?I gather there are some common elements in the training course.Or are NATS solely training for Area at the moment.
Once again,help much appreciated,and thank god for this website!
As flybhoy says,thanks for clearing up some of the uncertainty.
I too will not be put off by having to wait a bit longer,particularly if it will benefit us in the long run.
While I'm spouting off,can someone tell me at what point in the process you get to choose(if thats the case) between Area and Approach training?I gather there are some common elements in the training course.Or are NATS solely training for Area at the moment.
Once again,help much appreciated,and thank god for this website!
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Sorry folks, me again.
777 NATS has a continuing need for both airports and area controllers, with the college producing both at a ratio of about 1:4.
The first 3 months of the new course is common to both, then you will be streamed, with Airports candidates doing the Aerodrome rating, and the Area trainees starting radar training. The big difference is that you will know then where your final unit posting will be, and so can prepare your life accordingly, whereas at present you spend your whole college career not knowing whether you are bound for Heathrow or Aberdeen. You will now spend all periods of 'on the job' training at your final unit, so by the time you arrive there, you know where the canteen and toilets are.
The decision about who goes where though will be dependant primarily on company needs. So you basically will have a 1 in 4 chance of airports, if that is where you want to go, but you then stand as much chance of living in London as Scotland. Area mostly end up in Swanwick, but some go to Prestwick [about a fifth].
Best idea is just be prepared for a career in ATC, and leave the details until later. Nearly every ATCO in the world will swear that THEIR discipline is the one to go for, so whichever way you end up going, sit back and enjoy it.
777 NATS has a continuing need for both airports and area controllers, with the college producing both at a ratio of about 1:4.
The first 3 months of the new course is common to both, then you will be streamed, with Airports candidates doing the Aerodrome rating, and the Area trainees starting radar training. The big difference is that you will know then where your final unit posting will be, and so can prepare your life accordingly, whereas at present you spend your whole college career not knowing whether you are bound for Heathrow or Aberdeen. You will now spend all periods of 'on the job' training at your final unit, so by the time you arrive there, you know where the canteen and toilets are.
The decision about who goes where though will be dependant primarily on company needs. So you basically will have a 1 in 4 chance of airports, if that is where you want to go, but you then stand as much chance of living in London as Scotland. Area mostly end up in Swanwick, but some go to Prestwick [about a fifth].
Best idea is just be prepared for a career in ATC, and leave the details until later. Nearly every ATCO in the world will swear that THEIR discipline is the one to go for, so whichever way you end up going, sit back and enjoy it.