UK experienced controller recruitment
 

As the title says... NATS is now recruiting experienced en route/approach controllers. See http://www.natscareers.co.uk/Vacancies.asp?v=90

T and C's
 

So, any of you NATS types able to shed some light on the T&C's.

The website does not give many specifics, so from an EN-Route perspective...

Swanwick or Prestwick ?

How many positions ?

Permanent or contract ?

Are there Union issues ( existing transfer lists, seniority, etc ) ?

Rosters ?

Where do Direct Entries fit in on the payscale ?

Whats the downside ?

Answers to any or all, via this or PM would be welcomed.

Thanks in advance

BW

What Beam said, but no PMs, spill the beans please.

Lets have the low down and dirty--whats the story?

ok i'm guessing but probably not far away....

Swanwick but maybe Manchester (with a move to prestwick when manch does)

????? we are controllers down on last year and its only going to be busier

permanent

trying to keep pension....not sure what you mean by seniority? as for transfer lists if you are valid at a unit getting a move for anything less than an ill member of family....good luck

06.30-13.30 x2 ,13.30-22.00 x2 + 22.00-06.30 x2 or any combination of morning/afternoon spins x2 (mostly slip day if am spins) days off x4

at a guess pretty near, if not at, the bottom once valid...not sure when training (presumably pay scale can be seen on the internet)

i'm guessing pretty much the same issues the world over on this one but... nothing in particular, all in all pretty good company to work for once you are valid.

agian i'm not in hr or a position of power, just a lowly acto and these are my best guesses!

Ta
 

Thanks for that Sammer, some food for thought.

What about experienced, foreign APPROACH controllers?

I hold an ESARR5 license. The listing says Swanwick, but are there any openings in one of the London airports?

What's the payscale like?

Which airports would you serve, working as APP in Swanwick and what's the traffic load?

All NATS airports will be included - they are all short. There are several foreign ATCOs in the system here APC and AREA, european and others.
TC works LL, KK, SS annd GW. Traffic medium to heavy plus!

Is Manchester approach staying at Manch or relocating with area?

Manch Approach staying at Manchester.

Last I heard, the 'desperate' units for staff on the airports side are Heathrow (apparently losing staff to the ME), Glasgow and Edinburgh. Therefore, expect postings to Southampton, Aberporth and Birmingham or some other such cock-up! :)

In seriousness though, apparently Heathrow, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Gatwick are all more short than others (happy to be corrected) so presumably that's where the recruits would go?

Ok, thanks for your response guys.

What's the pay like in the London area?
Where is TC for LL, KK, SS located?

Anything else you can shed light on will be appreciated, like general terms of employment, breaks, holidays etc?

There's are probably opportunties at all 3 En-Route sites for experienced ATCOs (and remember at Prestwick, for those with the right tickets, that means Ocean too :ok:)

Rybber tc now located on south coast between southampton and portsmouth.
As for pay the scale starts at 51k including shift rising to over 85k. If you end up at heathrow tower same scale,, other airfields on a sliding scale below that.

45 before POL: How far will that pay get you in terms of living costs? Housing prices around London have a tendency to soar, so I have heard.

How are they coping with payrises in the ME, what is NATS doing to prevent people running off?

Rybber

TC incorporates the approach radar for Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Biggin Hill. Previous speculative applicants (those who submitted applications ad hoc) were considered and mainly recruited for the new London LARS being provided from Farnborough (caution, positions were only being offered for approach work at Farnborough, in the London area, certainly until recently). Airfileds, particularly Heathrow, and less so, Gatwick need Aerodrome controllers.

Shift pattern 6 on 4 off 30(I think) days a/l, plus 8 public holidays.

From what I understand, the union are a little miffed, since consultation on this recruitment drive was somewhat brief! There are staff at regional units trying to get to centres and major airports, some trade off may be possible, but as usual I suspect that "business needs must come first".

Housing costs around London? House prices, expect to pay circa £500-600K for modest 4 bed house. South Coast Swanwick area not a lot different maybe 5-10% less. Prices are fairly stagnant/falling dependent on area sought. NATS pay figures, I believe fairly accurately indicated above. Don't expect the top whack, they will naturally try and get you on the cheap. Not sure what relocation they will offer you, if any. Should you proceed and get that far PM me.

Good Luck.
2.5

A/L
 

Its 28 days annual leave at the outset rising to 33 after 10 years although I think the increments start after 5 years but can't remember the exact details.

28 days A/L from the start
30 days after 7 years
33 days after 10 years

Any applicants been called for interview yet or received feedback from HR stating how long before the interview rounds would start?

Spoke to HR. Expect interviews in may/june

1985, isn't it

28 days
2 extra after 8 years
3 extra after 10

??

I've been reading Nats website and it says one of the requirements is under 36 years of age!! :ooh:

I'm a British citizen working outside UK (non EU) and in mid 30s, and planning to apply for work in England in a few years time. I'll be 40 by then and have never worked in UK ATC before.

What are my chances? Is the age a hindrance? Go for it anyway?

Thanks guys.

Is this for ab-initio or experienced controller? Probably worth applying anyway I would suggest. Don't ask, don't get and all that.

There are allegedly a lot of applicants, hence the delay. Only heard that 3rd or 4th hand though.;)

Yep, that's what I've heard too.

Yup, got e-mail through yesterday explaining that due to high number of applicants, they are currently undertaking a "paper sift" of CV's! HR said they would be in touch soon with more information......at this rate it could be christmas before anyone has moved across into the NATS fold!:mad:

Christmas is an optomistic guess, nothing moves quickly in NATS especially not when HR get involved. Christmas 2009 probably more realistic ;)

The house price was a little misleading.

4 bed houses away from the london commuter area start at around £330k and thats a new, 4 double bed, ensuite with garage etc.

Its not all doom and gloom on the cost of living front. I have a 15 mile 20 minute commute to work!

Expect more vacancies in November 'cos that's when I retire and they'll need at least 3 to replace me!!!

3??? Blimey thats a lot of tea brews!

Are any airports in greater need than others for ATCOs than others and is there a choice for prospective employees? (he asked with more than a passing interest....;)).

Airport most in need..........have a guess Niknak ;)

I'm not sure how much choice an applicant would have. I hear we're getting first dibs on the applicants though.

Oh well, that's me buggered then...:E

I've been reading this thread with interest.

My situation is that I've applied 3 times to NATS and failed to get in. I've now moved to Australia, but been accepted by AsA for a trainee ATCO position as Tower.

They bond you over here for a 5 year period after you've qualified to the tune of $70k or approx GBP35k. I know for a fact I don't want to be in Australia long term, but reading this, it looks as though I'll struggle to get employment by NATS as an experienced controller.

How likely am I to gain employment from NATS in the future if I obtain 3-4 years experience over here? And also would NATS be likely to pay out my bond if I left early?

I'm actually considering not bothering to do the training if I can't be a controller in the UK eventually.

Any advice? I know I will get comments about not being good enough for UK, but I am for AsA, but the selection processes are VERY different.

Henry's Cat,

There are plenty of people who now work for NATS who either failed the selection process or the college training, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Gonzo how desperate are you guys?? Im awaiting the decision from HR as to whether they will give me an ATCO post (currently assistant with a current ADI rating) but they're not quick. Just wondered as the longer I wait the more likely I will need to leave NATS or do an APC.

Outstanding Bonds?
 

I've read the thread for a few weeks now - will NATS, or have NATS in the past, ever paid off a bond (when they pinch staff from Regional Airports)? Salary alone does not really stand up as an incentive compared to some bigger airfields/companies, although I accept that NATS are (apparently) a good company to work for!! Yes, I have a CV in - Just to test the water really!!:)

Has anyone heard anything more since the e-mail from NATS which said they had a huge response and were doing the "paper sift" sent on 20th May?

It was 4 months ago since they placed the advert and I wonder just how short of ATCOs they must be if it is taking so long.

Nothing heard!!
 

Nope - must be a slow old process!!! Nobody I know has heard a thing since the last 'sift' e-mail. Perhaps they have a few issues to resolve first.

I received an email yesterday saying I had been successful during there papersift of CV's and if I could forward a scanned or post a photocopy of my license. Also cold I provide dates when I was available for an initial interview.

Well done italiancars,

Hope interview goes well, hope to get one of my own soon!