So have you applied, done testing and interviews or are you just looking at it now?

Hmmmm oh well, I guess we will keep waiting until the day comes. As you say Air Force or ATC in other countries may have to be the go to in a few months if no information surfaces.

Only just applied a few days ago. No testing or interviews done yet

Just don't tell the RAAF that you're applying for ATC as a way to get into civilian ATC....bad form.

Hi shep_001,

Was that Tower course originally booked in for August 2017? And also what month/year did you submit your online application? Cheers.

Defender45 and Forrestdude: It's not a matter of simply transferring. Anyone wishing to be an Airservices ATC still has to do (and pass) the testing. Not all Defence or OS-qualified ATC applicants are successful at this point. Then you still have to complete and pass a training course - with some RPL for qualified ATCs trained elsewhere.

Oh yeah for sure Parishiltons, It's just an alternate path that may assist in leading to the end goal eventually after many years should we pass the Airservices testing.

Hi, yeah I think it was originally meant to start in August now September - Initial application was Sep 2015.

Okay thanks. I submitted my application late March 2016, so now waiting to hear about Assessment Centre dates. Best of luck with your course!👍🏻

This is my first time posting, but I found reading this forum thread very helpful and as such wanted to include my timeline and the rather bizarre culmination to my Application for Trainee ATC here in the event it may help others who are considering this path or going down it.

Late March 2016 – Applied for Trainee ATC program
Mid April 2016 – Invited to complete Online Assessments within next 2 weeks
Late April 2016 – Online Assessments completed and advised would be invited to complete Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ) and that this was expected to occur in approximately 2 weeks.
Mid – Late May 2016 – Invited to complete OPQ assessment; Completed OPQ Assessment; Invited to book telephone interview
Early June 2016 - booked and completed Telephone interview
Second half June 2016 – advised had been successful in progressing to Assessment Centre (AC) and would be placed on waiting list to attend next AC
Early September 2016 – was requested to book AC day in October 2016. I advised AirServices that I would be overseas during the period the ACs I had been invited to were being held and as such volunteered to travel at my expense to another region to attend AC if they were to be held when I was not overseas. Informed all ACs were to occur while I was overseas and advised I would be moved to “Assessment Centre Ready” and informed in the new year of the next AC day.
Mid October 2016 – Advised again I had progressed to AC and would be contacted in the New Year to confirm next available date for AC. Advised that if the dates I was offered did not align with personal circumstances there would be able to remain on waiting list until suitable AC date became available.
Late January 2017 – Was contacted and thanked for my patience, and advised of numbers current status of planned training and courses being filled, and advised that the next ACs were going to be planned for July or August 2017.
May 2017 – requested to provide (and provided) evidence of Citizenship or Permanent Residency. Receipt confirmed and advised would be contacted when they have further information.
12 July 2017 – After all of the above, a rather bizarre turn of events as I received email advising I had been unsuccessful in progressing to the next stage (i.e AC).

I have written to Air Services requesting information about why I was sent this most recent email given I had previously been invited to attend an AC, and furthermore if my application was not of the calibre required to progress to the next stage, why I had not been told this after the last step being my phone interview over a year ago. I will provide an update should I receive any meaningful response.

I am posting this information in the event it may be helpful for anyone who has been waiting or is considering applying for a similar role. From the recent posts in this thread it seems possible that there are issues and/or changes going on internally with Air Services. In addition, I had previously found people's timelines helpful while I was waiting - although I had not read of anyone being strung along quite like I seem to have been.

Hi ShadowSFriend,

I've had the exact same timeline as yourself. All your dates and correspondence with Airservices match my experience and unfortunately, I received the same email today. Very disappointing to say the least! How can one be booked into an Assessment Centre last October, then have it cancelled /postponed and after 9 more months of waiting, be told 'unfortunately you have been unsuccessful in progressing through the next phase of our recruitment process'. This is my second and last attempt having first applied in September 2014. Here's hoping this can be reassessed and we at least be put on hold or offered another chance for a final assessment throughout the next recruitment campaign. Best of luck!

ATC Trainee Recruitment
 

Interesting posts guys and sorry to hear the disappointing news.

I was going to ask if anyone knew if/when airservices were planning to open applications for the next round of ATC training however, it would seem based on the above information, this might be a million-dollar question...

There have been some fairly severe cutbacks, including training, so I suspect that's what you've run into. Considerably fewer courses are being run so the bar gets set commensurately higher.

Ahhhghhhhh yes they certainly have!

Application 3/16
Online Test 4/16
Pshyco Test 5/16
Phone Interview 7/16
Ass Centre 11/16
Air Services Cancelled Ass Centre 11/16
Email on the next Ass Centre dates 2/17
Then email 7/17 from Airservices containing this:

"We wish to acknowledge the calibre of applications received were assessed under our strict technical and competency criteria which meant that only a small portion i.e. 3% of the candidate profile group progressed through to our assessment centres."

That calibre assessment changed in the 9 months since being booked for the Assment Centre and then notified by email.

Yes I completely understand all of that, but the way I see it is, you can't have applicants approved to attend an Assessment Centre and then cancel/postpone it on them and then months down the track, send out an email stating you're deemed unsuccessful. Fair enough raise the bar higher, but raise it throughout the next recruitment phase.

The problem is a reduction in numbers is required at some stage of the process and for better or worse the earlier it occurs the cheaper it is. If you now only want say 20 trainees instead of 50 why run 200 through the Assessment Centre when you can achieve the same result by running 80 through?

I understand your frustration and wouldn't be happy if it were me but that's the reality.

As far as it's true that people are discardable and replaceable, it's in very bad taste to treat them as such. Unprofessional to say the least, and possibly damaging trust for future applications.

Communication never has been particularly good and I totally agree it's a less than fabulous way to treat applicants.

Thank you to all who shared their recent correspondence with Airservices.
Your situations are incredibly unfair - to be notified of your acceptance to the Assessment Centre, left waiting, some for many months, only to be later told that you are unsuccessful.
As disappointing as your outcomes have been to read about, it is such a valuable insight for people like myself who are considering going through this recruitment process.
I always figured that this highly sought after position would be very difficult to get into.
But it seems this goal is now even more difficult than ever before.

I completed the recruitment process and was deemed successful last October. Placed on a merit list waiting commencement of a course. Today I received an email saying they have moved the goal posts and I am no longer successful. I now have to tell my little girl that Daddy didn't get his new job and we won't get a new house. I am devastated. Thanks a lot you pack of arseholes.

It looks like this new staffing policy is subject to a lot of discussions...
This also sheds a new light on cancellation of international recruitments, the visa issue was perhaps only an excuse...
Has there been a change in management recently ?
How can it be possible that they made such a huge mistake in staffing numbers (previously or now) ?
Or is there something else ? Automation ? privatisation ?

That's terrible news! I thought my experience was bad. Is that even legal or is there some type of process you could try to fight for your chance of being placed on a future course?

Keep your head up 50 50, I know it's disappointing but I'm sure the decision was made very high up in the chain. Given how long this recruitment process has spanned, maybe they have decided to start fresh for later this year, in which case you'd be pretty confident in your application considering how far you got last time.

On a separate note, and I hate to bring this up at such a time, but is there anyone controllers who could shed some light on typical rosters for tower controllers are at present? I know things have been posted in the past but we're talking 5+ years ago from what I can see.

Also, for those who have just completed training int the past 12 months, how successful were you with tower posting location preferences?

I'm looking at this as a potential career some time down the track and am curious as to how rosters and postings stack up against airline pilots, which was quite ad hoc and largely dependent on rank/experience.

Appreciate the help!

There very well may be, but I have wasted enough of my time with these people. If this is the regard they have for people and their future then I think I will be better off elsewhere. Re applying would only invite a further waste of my valuable time. Good luck to those who prevailed. I have attached their heartfelt email for you perusal.

Re: Application – Air Traffic Controller Traineeship

Firstly, thank you for your application and sincere apologies for the delay in responding to you.

Airservices has undergone an operational transformation program which has delayed recruitment activities for all areas of the business.

As such, we wish to inform you as part of the transformation program, we have reduced the number of traineeships which has resulted in your application results being recalibrated against our key selection criteria.

Unfortunately on this occasion, you have been unsuccessful in your application.

We wish to acknowledge the calibre of applications received were assessed under our strict technical and competency criteria which meant that only a very small portion i.e. 3% of the candidate profile group were successful in their application.

We thank you for your time, effort and dedication in completing the online application, telephone interview, OPQ testing and attending the Assessment Centre.

We wish you every success with your future career endeavours and strongly encourage you to re-apply in the near future. We anticipate the next intake for the Traineeship Program will take place on or about late 2017.

Yours sincerely,

People Services
Airservices Australia Pty Ltd

Jack, the visa issue was coincident with the push to massively cut expenditure. ATC was removed from the list of eligible occupations making it much more difficult and much more expensive to obtain a visa, so recruitment of experienced foreign controllers would have almost certainly stopped regardless of the expenditure cuts.

No mistake in numbers required as we still need more in the long term - our age profile is rather top heavy with many set to retire in 5 to 10 years.

Such cuts go in cycles - new manager makes deep cuts to impress the bean counters then the organisation slowly expands over 15 or so years. Rinse and repeat.

50 50, to be fair those were about your odds of passing the course and gaining a rating. Bit premature talking about new job and new house.

The new job is the course. The new house is where we would be living while undertaking the course. Congratulations you have been successsful was fairly clear.

That's a shame! I can only try to understand how you must feel right now. I received an email today similar to yours above stating I can re-apply during the next intake. I'm very happy with their decision to provide me the opportunity to do that. More waiting but I've come this far, I'm still in with a chance! Best of luck with whatever decision you choose to go with mate. 👍🏻

Thank you for the responses, and my commiserations to those who have found themselves in a similar situation. I have today received a response from Air Services advising that they have undergone a significant change in program resulting in a reduction in the number of spots for the ATC traineeship program hence the reassessment against their key selection criteria - which they refer to as a 're-calibration process'. They are otherwise not in a position to provide any individual feedback in regards to which aspect of my assessments to date resulted in my 're-calibrated' results making my application now unsuccessful. They have 'understood' my disappointment, thanked me for my understanding and patience ,and strongly encouraged me to apply in the near future, with the next intake anticipated in late 2017.

I agree with previous posters that I have no issue with Air Services setting or raising the bar, but it is how they handled the issue in these circumstances where they had previously advised applicants that they had advanced in the recruitment process, to do an about face some 10 months later, due to their own internal operational issues (and arguably poor management).

I agree with LFVA's views that is is in bad taste, and reflects poorly on a prospective employer to treat people as discardable and replaceable in the circumstances that they have.

Overall though, I am happy to have received this insight into the organisation at this stage, rather than progressing to a traineeship or further and then discovering their standards and operating procedures.

Thank you again to all that have contributed to this thread, and also provided recent insight and commiserations in regards to be treated in a similar manner.

From a personal perspective I don't anticipate reapplying or otherwise pursuing any form of employment with Air Services in the foreseeable future.

50_50 You can take heart from the words "strongly encourage". That can be code for we think you have potential to make it next time around if you apply again.

But be careful of your choice of words. Your potential fit with the organisation's culture is also a consideration in the selection process. Bagging an organisation and displaying bitterness before they even hire you is a good way to shut the gate on yourself.

Hi everyone,

Sorry to steer away from the topic but are there any air traffic controllers that are currently working in Tower and can provide some information on the work roster and postings after the course? I understand there is information earlier in this thread but I suspect it may be out of date.

In particular, once you finish the course how likely would you be to get a tower basing in your own state? Also, with respect to roster, is it typically something like two mornings, two afternoons, two night followed by 2-3 days off? This seems to be a trend i'm seing for enroute.

Any feedback would be appreciated, I don't have any contacts in the industry.

Thank!

Interesting, there was another post that has been deleted. It mentioned how the reduced number of trainees will result in a better 1 on 1 training ratio and hence, possibly, a better pass rate. Also indicated that it is a career for life and how 2 years for a recruitment process was a "drop in the bucket".
Perhaps, but it has already been just about 2 years, wait another 6 months for them to re-advertise, minimum 6 -12 months recruitment process and then an indeterminate wait we are talking a 4 year process to even start a course, then another 18-21 months before you "possibly" gain a license.
I'm 35 now, they won't even want me by the time that process is over. In the time I have spent waiting on their merit list I could have achieved a diploma in any other discipline. I'm ok with not meeting the standard but time is valuable to me. Money I can make, but I can't get back the wasted time.
It would seem I am not the only one that has been given the good news, and I genuinely feel for all of you. But I agree with at least one other poster, I will not be applying for any position with Airservices in the future.

I agree it's a crappy way to treat applicants. Unfortunately for you, applicants aren't in short supply.

The problem is that the number of courses being run each year has been reduced considerably so assuming they kept the larger pool of trainees in the queue many of you would be waiting several more years for a course anyway.

With respect to age, there is no discrimination - you're judged against a standard which you either meet or don't. That said age is a disadvantage simply because the older you are the harder it is to keep up with the pace of the training.

Late 2017
 

Hi all

A very useful thread, many thanks. I understand that recruitment and training has slowed considerably with a few posts above indicating a 'late 2017' intake.

Does this proposed timeline pertain to the next training intake or the opening of recruitment to applications? I understand it is a lengthy process from there.

Thanks in advance.

CTO

Hi CTO,

I'm going to say applications in late 2017 since there hasn't been an application period since the beginning of last year. That's just my thought, but based on current circumstances I really don't have much idea.

Forrest

Hi Forrest

Thanks for your thoughts, it's exactly what I was thinking but figured I'd ask the question.

I'll just keep a regular eye on the website and see what happens.

Thanks again

CTO

Air Traffic Controller Career Help
 

Hey guys,

I've spent the past 15 years in various areas of aviation and am really interested in Air Traffic Control. I'd really like to find out a lot more about it (other than what's on the forums and AsA website) but unfortunately I don't know any ATCs.

Is there anyone that would be kind enough to answer a couple of quick questions I have via email? Just things to do with the job details, rosters and career pathways.

Thanks, any help whatsoever would be really appreciative! :ok:

Scott.

I hear that during 2018 there will be just 8 ab-initio Tower trainees. That's 8 total, not 8 courses.

Ouch! That's going to do wonders for numbers :ugh:

WOW. Do you know if those are newly selected trainees or ones that have already passed application and are waiting for a course?

Applications open until 12th Nov.

Job Details - Air Traffic Control Trainee | Airservices