Anyone youngish on the September Course, looking for accommodation?!?

Email me at [email protected]

Rent will be $100 a week, we're looking for another housemate!

Thanks :)

I may also be looking for a house mate for anyone currently on course or starting shortly, drop me a PM. 2 bedroom unit 20mins drive to college, tram to city, walk to shops rent is $350 split two.

For all you happy ASA Learning Academy Instructors search the Flight Global website for the Doha Qatar ATC Instructors Advertisement - you might get a nice deal.

To all potential AsA ATC trainees, please do not be put off by Air Vector Victor's griping's and misgiving's. As a trainee who went through the college (sorry, Learning Academy!) and field training SUCCESSFULLY at around the same time as Air Vector Victor Voctor Vactor, I can attest that trainee's are given EVERY opportunity to successfuly complete the college training and progress to achieving an endorsement in the field. As has been touched on numerous times within this thread, ATC is very much a "you've got it, or you don't" type of job. Unfortunately some souls apparently cannot deal with the fact that they "just don't have it!" and must apportion the blame elsewhere.
I readily admit that AsA can improve upon the processes undertaken in training new blood for the field (both enroute and tower) however, I strongly advise that anybody who doesn't cut the mustard has only themselves to blame. Comments such as AsA should try "actually giving a damn about the trainees once they hit the field." from the loose lips of those above are quite simply insulting to ATC's who put in hard yards to get trainee's over the line.
Sour grapes are not attractive Air Voctor Vuctor.
And I won't even start on your comments regarding a coursemate's position within the organisation and surmising that public safety has been compromised just because that person may or may not know the 'right people'.
All I can say is the ATC group (as is the travelling public) is much better off with you not getting an endorsement, judging by your very misguided and childish comments. Reminds me of a famous line by a great instructor.... "GET A CLUE!" Could not put it better myself.
Again, to all those interested and willing to apply - this is a great job. Yes, the organisation may have a few problems, but be very mindful that opinions expressed on forums such as this one are generally by those with an axe to grind! Rest assured you will get all the support you need from the instructors in the college and your fellow colleagues once you hit the field. Put in the work early on and always stay ahead of the game!

Hey guys,

Just in regards to the shifts and in particular night shifts, is it at all possible to make a request to work in an enroute area that only does afternoons/mornings without the nights?

Or is it more you will work where ever you are placed during your training end of story?

Thanks for your feedback.

Most positions have night shifts, which you will have to do. During the application process there are numerous mentions of the 24hr nature of the shift work.

You could be lucky and get a tower that is not 24hrs, but the majority of staff work a 24hr roster.

Enroute especially is 24hr, although depending on the group you may not initially have the ratings necessary to work nights. You will end up working doggos sooner or later, and yes, you don't have a whole lot of control over where you end up.

Initial screening
 

Anyone know when ASA may be next screening ATC applicants?

The website doesn't seem to allow for online applications... Ie only able to register for a "job alert" within ASA.

:confused:

I don't think it will be for a while, probably not this year it seems. They have only recently put through the first bunch of people (myself included) from the order of merit list of applicants who applied in 2009. More positions have been offered for September and November.
The group that applied this year (applications closed a while back) have been told that their next stage will be delayed as the Academy is running at full capacity at the moment.
Best thing to do if you want to know is to try and get ahold of someone from AsA recruitment.

Anyone on a November course looking for somewhere to live? I'm in search of someone to go find a place with... drop me a PM.

does anyone on the current tower course know where you are to be posted yet?

Should hear something around September.
Finished TMA last week and we're now getting stuck into Radar TWR.
Written exam and first PE both tomorrow.
Still on track to finish college phase mid November.

Runway Sep Standards wait for no man...

You thinks that's funny...an instructor told me the other day that students have asked him "why do I have to learn all this stuff?"!!! And some have complained about being stressed from all the theory!

I am a student at the learning academy. May I add that I am really enjoying it, its a real challenge and that makes it great.

Knackers, I am not sure who the "students" are that have asked why all these things have to be learned, but indeed if it was asked (whether by one or more) it was perhaps a stupid question, perhaps a legitimate question, I don’t know the facts so will not assume I know everything and write a reply on pprune about it.

Regarding the theory and "being stressed about it", did you and the Instructor think that perhaps they may have been stressed due to the fact that they all really do want to be air traffic controllers and have to pass in order to advance? That to me sounds like a pretty good reason to be stressed about an exam. Obviously exams are a breeze for you, never been nervous?

My point is, perhaps we should all refrain from the "Holier than thou" attitude (Knackers I sure that was not your intention?) and use a little constructive thought or even a little empathy coupled with a few suggestions on how to get through it from the perspective of someone whos been there done that? ...Maybe it’s just easier to criticise.

To all those potential students looking for a bit of info on Airservices and the Learning Academy, this thread was once helpful. Don’t bother with it now. I suggest you start a new one or read the first few pages of this one only. Better yet, speak to someone directly, there are a lot of sour people that hang around pprune and the feeling at the academy is on the whole a much more uplifting, and exciting place to be than the feeling you get from many of the unhelpful comments here (some have contributed positively, thank you).

I won’t be contributing to this thread any further, probably wont even bother reading it. All the best to potential candidates and current students! :ok:

Sept. Course
 

well its starting soon and would like to make contact with as many people on the sept course as possible, found 2.
so if you know someone please pm me.
thanks

anyone else got pre study yet?

The January course is filling and many on that course have been told they will need to undergo testing again as results can only be held for upto 12 months. Whether that is to do with the Order of Merit list or when applications were initially lodged, I'm unsure.

Cookie, I was on the December '09 OOM and have been told pretty much I need to pass the assessments again in order to be in the January or February courses. She said it's much more streamlined then before and a much quicker process, but it has changed. Need to do the online cognitive testing again, as well as a full assessment day, but she said that the assessment day is much different then before, and there's more emphasis placed on that rather then the panel interview. I'm not 100% clear if there's still a panel interview, and if so, if I would need to pass that again. Does anyone else have any more information on the new assessment process?

nick83,

I'm assuming "she" is the AsA contact, Casey?

The info I have is that it will not include further interviews (for cases like yours).

How inefficient is that .... ?
What must be the cost of duplicating the selection exercise?

Imagine if Defence put you through Flight Screening twice ... because you had to wait so long for them to get you on a course?

Mate I was going to post that myself but held back. They are seriously a joke for all the "world's best practice" crap.....


World's best practice in hopelessness.

That is all well and good if you want to think it is 'hug club'. Discount some of the opinions if you wish but don't say you have not been warned.:rolleyes:

Couldn't agree more Plazbot. :ugh:

Looks like they all need to TTFU!

I thought the college was great too until my house mate worked there one day, then the next day security escorted her and 5 of my fellow students off the ASA grounds.

5 out of the 16 student got rated, 4 still work for ASA. You do the sums. But I am sure its better then when I was there right.

This isn't bull, this is the facts. Can't take it, don't apply. Good luck at hug club

Can't take it, don't apply. Now this is the crux of the thing. Lets me start by saying that ATC is the bees shiznizzle. It is a great gig. If you can go to work and ignore/tolerate the kinds of things that have been mentioned in this extreme hijack of the thread, you will be fine. You may find things will grate on you. Read everything in these pages. Not that I went back over the last 1000 posts in it (1018 at last count) but I don't recall there being anything added by current or ex controllers that is not factual. Assess these things and be prepared. There are some great people at most levels within AsA from the sectors and up. Some are not so great, like anywhere really. I think that everything comes down to two issues and one reality.

The issues are inconsistent application of decisions and an employer that will change definitions purely to suit their desired outcome. A prime example of the latter is when the definition of Team was interpreted by the Industrial department as a group of people that usually work together and if you usually work solo, you are a team of one. This had some very real outcomes with respect to roster design and hours that I wont bore you with but that is far from what the original intent was and needless to say, the outcome was bad for the staff.

The reality I mentioned is that there is only one ATC employer in OZ. All of your eggs are in that basket and when you are bonded, it is very expensive to get out of. You can't just kick it in and start working next door for the competition. Rose coloured glasses will fade eventually. It took mine nearly 15 years but they faded. Thankfully I get to play ATC in a whole other Sandpit... literallyhttp://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/sr...ies/thumbs.gif

Nick83 that sucks mate, good luck with 2nd round of testing though. I think i was pretty lucky getting onto the 1 nov course. Speaking of which anybody else on that course, and does anybody know how close to the course you get the pre course info???

Wondering who else is on the tower course starting November 1st??

Hello everyone :)

Myself and roommate are currently looking for a third person to share our place/rent with. We live in Taylors Hill and are on course 37 at the academy.

If you're single, on the September course and want an easy move interstate, (avoiding buying appliances or anything really), please email me!

[email protected]

First in best dressed! Living with 2 people already on course would also significantly benefit your chances of passing.

Simon :ok:

future recruitment
 

so has there been any mention of what might happen if in a week time there is a change of government in canberra.

does that mean that courses might be placed on hold or shut down and all courses suspended if there is a change of government.

if there is a new government that starts on the monday following the election.

so all future students may be placed into a holding pattern from next week if there is a change over shift in government.

as there might be a freeze of budgets and spending for recruitment.

as savings may need to be made in the public service.

so all recruitment will be freezed from the 23rd august if a change over is made in government.

No. AsA is not part of the public service. You are either stirring or took retard pills.

training
 

im sure the government has some say what happens down at AsA
doesnt the government control spending, budgets,
controllers salaries
decide on how many atc are recruited, put through traning.

im sure minister for transport (federal) who looks after AsA must have some say.

No, the government does not dictate anything to AsA other than demand a dividend every year. There is some 'approval' required for final sign off of Certified Agreement conditions but apart from that, the Government dictates nothing with the day to day recruitment and training. In summary, the election has nothing to do with anything anybody is reading this thread for.

Bastard son of Work Choices is by far the biggest concern if there's a change of government. Our Dear Leader was much enamoured of the original.

As Sandy says, industrial policy and the occasionally ill-thought out Ministerial directive are the main influence. Board appointments are by the Minister and we're subject to requirements of the Airservices Act.

Quote by le Pingouin:
" ill-thought out Ministerial directive "

Please provide evidence of any other kind of recent times referring to aviation!

I would guess that noise abatement procedures (especially around Sydney) as well as environmental impact considerations may fall under this category.

Edit: The above are examples of "ill-thought out Ministerial directives" as opposed to the "other kind" just in case anyone was wondering what planet I'm on :O

Not an unreasonable assumption atc2020, but no. Remember ASA is not like say the ABC, the police, public schools etc. ASA doesn't get its money from the government, it charges its 'customers' direct, and is required by law to make a profit and give that to the government. As long as the Board and CEO meet (or are seen to meet, or nobody notices they are not meeting) their statutory requirements, they have a free hand, because ASA make money, not cost money.

Plus, it takes a fairly specific number of bums on seats to keep the airspace open, unlike say teachers or police where you can (but shouldn't) provide a lesser service with less people to save money. We are below that number and falling, hence the drive for recruits now.

Twenty or so? Wow that's gonna hurt 'em.

NMorgan, I'm on the enroute course starting 1st nov, from what i understand the tower and enroute do the first 8 weeks or so together

Process
 

Can you outline the time frame process for teh actual training. Is all the training done in Melbourne or only the theory side.
Thanks for the info, I am doing the testing in 2 weeks and just would like to know if successful wha tthe process is from there.

study material
 

Does anybody have an old copy of the maerial you use prior to starting training that they would be willing to pas on or copy. It goes so far as to saying I want to be prepared for what I am getting into without to many surprises.