NAVCANADA - aren't they great??
 

About 8 months ago I applied to NAVCANADA for an "Experienced Controller" position via their website. I heard precisely.............nothing. Great :hmm:

Well, thought I, if they can't be bothered to reply I'm not going to pursue them.

In fact they did reply, on Friday 3rd September - 8 months later :eek:

Here's the text from the e-mail:

Dear squibbler,

Thank you for registering with NAV CANADA's recruitment internet site for Air Traffic Controllers and Flight Service Specialists.

In order to be able to proceed with your application, you must MEET THIS BASIC MINIMUM REQUIREMENT:

* You must be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant (permanent resident). In your application, you have provided us with an address outside of Canada. You must be able to provide us with a proof of eligibility to work in Canada to proceed with your candidacy.

If you do not respond to this email within 7 days, we will assume that you do not meet the above requirement and we will withdraw your candidacy.

If you meet the above requirement, please reply back as soon as possible. Also, please note that no travel expenses will be reimbursed to attend testing sessions and/or interviews. These expenses are the candidate's responsibility.

Thank you again for your interest in a career with NAV CANADA's Air Traffic Services.

Regards,
SHL - NAV CANADA Recruitment


Now what is this about? It looks like their treating my app. as being from an "ab-initio". I'm not a Canadian citizen, and I doubt I could obtain proof of the right to work in Canada within the next few days!! Under the "Experienced Controller Program" you didn't need any of this, didn't NavCanada sponsor your application or something like that :confused: ???

Does anyone have any experience of NavCanada who might be able to help me out here??

It doesn't get any better when you do strike up 2-way comms. Last Oct I spoke to the recruiter dealing with the experienced controller trg in Ottawa after they received my CV. I was verbally advised that I was on the list for aptitude trg for Edmonton/Calgary due to take place in Spring 2004.

Nothing more from NavCan since.

Now, having lived in "the great white north" myself for 3 years I know that their winters are long, but I figure that they must be in the summer by now. Sending out nothing in 10 months is no way to recruit. I never chased the matter up as my situation in the UK has changed dictating that I cannot move to Canada at the moment.

squibbler

My advice is don't hold your breath ot build up your hopes. Anyeay., it might be one, if not the best, country to live in but with only 3 wks leave, you won't get much time to enjoy it!!

My experience was entirely different....
Applied in late January, offered assessment within 2 weeks, was assessed less than 2 months later, moved to Canada in July. Maybe you didn't say "please"?

Lock n' Load - I doubt you're anybody special. I suspect your application hit upon the right people in the right department at the right time, unlike many others it would seem.

Fortunately I have received a very helpful PM from a NAVCANADA controller. If anyone else is interested I can pass it along.

Squibbler, I didn't claim to be special (but my mother says I'm great...), just that I may have said please and thank you at the right moments!
In general though, all those who dealth with the manager of the experienced controller recruitment programme found her to be helpful and friendly.
The recruiting of ab-initios may be subcontracted to a specialist recruitment firm, and if your application heads their way by mistake, they won't have a clue what to do with you!

Locknload

Said lady was more than helpful during the long telephone conversation we had, unfortunately nothing else happened.

Maybe its because my 17 years in ATC are all in the military (albeit 3 working at NavCan in a 'blue suit'.).

Yes please! Very interested to see it if you don't mind passing it on.

Squibbler, if you check here and here you'll see there are rumours everywhere regarding the experienced controller program.

I have no complaints either.
Assessed in October 2002. Was offered course start in January 2003. Couldn't make that so started in May 2003. Been here since and haven't looked back.
I think you've been a victim of the program's success. Too many applicants, not enough courses to put them on. There may be some politics at work too though!
I would like to see the PM too.:O

Just to bring this back to the top.

Squibbler, how much for a copy of that PM from the Nav Canada guy?:ok:

squibbler! Check ur pm's :ok:

Just applied but now having serious second thoughts.. AM thanks for the PM regards the situation in C- . Seems that staying put for the moment is the best plan....

Must say, my experience with them was top notch.

From email of interest to Ottawa, to assessment in Canada was around 3 months, and job offer was during the week I was there, with a number of start dates and different geography to choose from.

Elected to stay put after all of it, but the point is they seemed very competent and helpful throughout the exercise. This all occured in Mid'02 - not sure of they have the same demand now?

(Three colleagues from 'down here' did take up the offer - I believe their experience was similarly expeditious. )

Guees you'll have to enjoy the 'City of Culture 2008' for a bit longer, Dave!:D

And with the joys of McB to come..............:ugh:

Still, you're alright...........c ya buddy! :}