You need to appreciate that you are applying for a mobile job grade, and therefore the company has the right to post you to where their business needs are. If you are successful in your application, and decide to go to NATS, on the first few days of your course you will sign paperwork agreeing to this, in addition to it being written into your employment contract. You are also bonded to the company, therefore you cannot complete your NATS funded ATCO training and then quit/run off without owing approx £40k.

Therefore if you wish to "pick and choose" where you are posted I would really think twice about applying/joining. I know it sounds harsh and I really understand it can be disruptive for a family but this is the choice you have to make. :ok:

locations
 

Hi Guys/Girls

I was lucky enough to get through the stage 3 recently, medical next month and early 2020 start for training, I understand its a mobile grade etc but I am pretty sure they will ask us for preferences at some point, so have started to give it some thought.

Does anyone have any firm info on what occurs where? As i understand it Area is split between Swanwick and Prestwick, London approaches are all done from Swanwick? and Tower is always located on each individual site? anyone know if other approaches are centralised, and if so, to where? or do they work out of the individual sites?

thanks in advance

Congrats!
Normally Towers are where they are expected, unless they switch to Digital/Remote Towers like in London City or Cranfield.

Be aware that, whilst preferences are taken near the end of the course, subject to you passing, out of 15 on my course 3 got one of their preferences.

In terms of what occurs, you normally get an email from HR going "you are welcome to submit 3 preferences if you wish." Be aware that postings vary from Aberdeen in the north to Southampton in the south, including Aberporth in the west and everything in between. Area courses will be sent to either Swanwick (TC or AC) or Prestwick. Radar only rated people will be sent to either Swanwick to do London approaches, Aberporth ranges, or Aberdeen to staff the offshore function. There are also many trainees holding at units awaiting to start their unit training, so factor all of this into your expectations throughout training. It is definitely worth it in the end though!

It is a great job and a great company to work for, who really do look after you. Again I just cannot stress enough to expect the unexpected with regards to postings. Just because someone has a family with kids does not mean they will get posted where they want.... I can say this with 100% certainty.....!!! :ok:

Thanks, That is an impressive looking facility, I had heard that remote towers were being considered but didn't know this was operational yet.

Thanks, yes that London City Tower is impressive! I would expect these will become more common over the next few decades as traditional tower operational life spans expire.

Thank you, that does help clear things up for me, it was pretty much what i was expecting with the 3/15 figure, i guess as you say I'll just have to wait and see. Exciting times ahead!

Do you know how far in until you find out your unit placement? I'm assuming most stay on where they complete unit training?

Sorry for all the questions btw, and thanks in advance.

You complete your college training. At the end of this, you receive your posting. Once you begin at your posting/unit this is where you will train and validate your license, and thus your place of work as an ATCO.

Has anyone got any news when NATS will be opening there recruitment stages

TATC Application Reopening
 

Hi,.does anyone know roughly when the application process will reopen for new applications?

Cheers, noticed the ANS are open for applications with the process starting early next year.

Remember that ANS only have contracts (currently....) at 2 airports though, each of those with around 20 ATCOs so can't imagine there is a huge demand for new ab-initio ATCOs!

My advice would be to definitely stick out the temporary stop on applications at NATS, get experiences that you can talk in your interview about, and apply when the recruitment window reopens.

Has anyone heard from NATS recruitment recently? I got in on the last batch of the old process and we were due to hear about course dates in August but nothing so far.

thxs at least they contacted you