Nats College Course - Basic Rundown
 

Hi All,

I will be starting at the college soon (hopefully July) and just trying to get an idea of what exactly to expect in relation to the format of the course? I am not sure exactly what to expect. For instance, is it split up into different modules? If so, what are these modules? At what point would you start 'practicals' eg simulations etc? what are the major milestones, eg is there an exam at the end of every module?

Any idea/info would be great. Clearly I understand the course will be very different for Area/Aero - I am hoping to get on an Area course.

Thanks in advance!

Trainees will be streamed into Area or Airports earlier now so you may know before you start.

If on Area you will undretake a 4 week "common core" programme which is all lessons (basic theory like met, nav etc) there is a test on Law at the end of this.

Then you move onto the Basic Radar course (11 weeks I think), this has Area specific theory and you get on the sims pretty quick (first couple of weeks). Near the begining is the multi-topic exam which is all the stuff you've learnt during "common core". A few weeks later is an Area specific written exam. Towards the end is an oral board, with practical summatives at the very end of the course. You have to successfuly complete all of that to move onto...

Area Foundation (12 weeks ish) which includes a written, oral board and summatives in that order. Then onto...

Area advanced (12 weeks ish) again written, oral board and summatives.

Good luck in July!

Thanks Reach, very helpful!:ok:

I will be staring in April on the Area course. Out of interest, can you tell me how where holidays fit in to the schedule? Should I expect to get a couple of weeks off after each block?

Thanks

Hi Elainem,

There is usally a week or two between courses. Please be aware that your leave dates are dictated to you and could change due to various reasons. I would advise not to book any holidays away but if you do then take out insurance that would cover this.

Good luck in April!

Reach,

another quick question since you seem a fast and reliable source :)

Once (if and when) at a unit, but still as a trainee, do you become entitled to leave as other controllers, or still dictated by the training modules ?
Is the unit training a rostered shifts operation or is it still subject to college patterns ?

thanks

Ivor

Unit will be rostered ie 6 on 4 off. But as a trainee leave is easy to get aslong as you don't go over your 28 days a year

I am quite worried by the type of people commenting on this thread. You are on a training course to be one of the best Air Traffic Controllers in the world. You will be looked upon by all the European States as being one of the best. Forget the holidays, knuckle down pass the exams and pass the validation, then worry about leave etc. Sacrifice everything for 2 years and you will have the 2nd most rewarding career in the world.

I think it's a perfectly valid question to ask about leave. You know when you sign up for a degree course that your holidays will be dictated by the school calendar, but how many people do you know in the mainstream who have attended air traffic college - not many, so give the guy a break.

ILS 119.5: I can understand your point that it appears to be worrying.

However, although this isn't ENTIRELY the same, having come from a military background, I found that although people love the job very much, the leave and holiday prospects are often what keep people going (or at least give them something to look forward to that isn't work related). I have been brought up to know it isn't wrong to look forward to breaks, it's just wrong to let the thought of holidays stopping you doing your job properly! And also brought up to be flexible. Also, on the whole, my father (who was a military instructor) usually found that the holiday questions asked by students/trainees/whatever were not actually fully for their own benefit or excitement, but rather for the friends and families back home, who out of no fault of their own, are out of the loop and are eager to "make plans" with a son or daughter who is in a career where it is not that easy to do so.

I do hope I have made sense!

Likewise :)

Please enlighten me to the first.

ILS, Lighten up on the poor wee buggers.
ATCO training is tough on the loved ones and it makes life just a little more bearable if you can soften the fact that you will be studying all hours that God sends for 9 months with no guarantee of anything to show for it at the end. My missus gave me endless grief before I went to Hurn and it was only the promise of a couple of weeks holiday in the middle that saved the day.
NATS HR are not particularly forthcoming about such mundane requests which although seemingly minor to thee are bloody important to the majority of people. Ditto working conditions during validation.

I believe the No 1 job may involve the playing of a piano in a house of ill-repute..:ok:

Think you migh have it in one DWB - because it certainly aint being a pilot (system manager) on a modern aircraft!

Hello Ivor,

You will get your 28 days when at unit which you can request to be taken at times that suit you. You will have to deconflict your leave with training courses which require a lot of resource and will have been booked in advance of your arrival.

I'm sorry that I was not as fast as usual but I can asure you I am still reliable!

1985 is correct with the shift pattern, 6 on 4 off, this is at Area units, the Airports can be quite different.

Does anybody knows the rate of students who successfully pass through the college?

I keep remembering a rather ominous figure of 20%. Seen that somewhere on here, but then I remember seeing a hopeful figure of 80%?

To be honest, I don't worry about statistics. You go there thinking you are going to pass and not fail, then you'll pass, as you'll work hard. Simple.

Thanks to all the NATS employees who are providing great info:ok:

Since this thread has deviated a bit i would like to ask a question which i am hoping one of you lovely people could answer.

Since i learned of the shift patterns i have been desperate to find out if 6 days holidays means you actually get 14 days off. ie.

4 days off - 6 days holiday - 4 days off

just like if you were working mon-fri in an office jub 5 days holiday would equal 9days off ie. sat/sun off - 5 days holiday - sat/sun off.

Iknow this question seems a little silly and it in no way alters my opinion of NATS working conditions or employee benefits but its something ive wondered about for a while?

Many thanks

Yes you do :)

watch the birdie...

thats pretty much hit the nail on head. its not easy in any way, there are hard times when something like aviation law just doesnt sink in, but if you keep perservering with the books then it will all work out.

as for statistics 41 from 47 passed our basic course starting last september, and at this point 4 of us have been posted, but then most of the guys went area and got business held. Its definitely not 20% or 80%, rough guess id say between 60 and 70...

like you said, statistics mean nothing to an individual, if everyone on your course works hard then you can all pass :ok:

adrian