ATC validation
 

Hi,

I hope someone can offer me even just a quick answer to my question.

I have been offered an ATCO training contract with NATS beginning in July or October (they're waiting for final numbers from the college before handing out dates). I understand that the pass rate at college is around 70% but I was wondering if anyone can tell me how many trainee ATCOs then fail to achieve validation on their posting?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated, even just a ball park figure or what people have witnessed themselves at their units.

Thanks,

Leon

Don't get caught up in things like probability of validating. I'd suggest spending your energy on working hard, not annoying your colleagues at a unit and taking heed of what they have to say. They've done it for a long time. Seems like an obvious comment, but one which is sadly ignored by some people training. The minority I hasten to add.

But, in answer to your actual question... I can't really give you an answer. Validation numbers will vary wherever you go. Area units I believe have a lower percentage making it through to validation, although I stand to be corrected. It's obviously a harder job... ;) In all honesty, it just varies unit to unit.

Just work hard at the college, keep your head down, get to a unit, work harder and enjoy the fruits of your labour. It's a top job and NATS is a pretty good company to work for depsite some grumbles you may come across.

Good luck.

Hi Leon,

At my NATS airport unit about 80% of students validate. I believe the proportion at the Area units is similar, hopefully one of the Area guys will give you a ballpark figure. However, for those that fail at units there is sometimes the chance of a second posting to try again (but not always!).

Regards ADIS

There are not many who fail to validate ANYWHERE though some do not make it at their first unit.
If you join NATS, come in with a positive attitude, work hard and get through the college course.
We are here to get you validated, NOT to fail you and believe me, NATS need you !!!
Good luck.

If you want to be an ATCO, you will sign. if you are wondering whether you might or might not pass and therefore un-decided about your career, you may have problems applying sufficient commitment to the training.
Seen it before, many times. Good luck with whatever you decide. I'll still be here doing whatever it is they pay me for in October.:ok:

Of the 36 people that started my course, 12 are not working as ATCOs. All but two of them still have a job with the company in one form or another, be it as assistants or in non-ops jobs. One of those two left to be a pilot.

Of the remaining 24, not all of us are valid 3 1/2 years or so down the line, a few people didn't make it through the college first time round and so had to wait a bit longer before starting training at their unit. A couple of those 24 have been removed from training at their unit and offered another unit.

As others have said, if you have the commitment and really want to be an ATCO, then you should be alright. Keep your head down and work hard and take on board any advice you get given regarding the practical side of things.

Cheers all. The advice is much appreciated its good to know a bit about the future stages.

I agree with the comment about not getting too caught up with numbers and working hard but for the record I reckon the pass rate at college is less than 70% these days.
Of 44 that started our course 11 are at units after going straight through, 4 others at college who have been held waiting for a course and about 15 others recoursing somewhere along the line - these figures may not be 100% accurate but if not, they are close.
Even if all of those recoursing pass we won't make 70%. Realistically I think the pass rate out of the college is about 50% on average.
As for unit validation rates, one of the area units currently has a rate of less than 50%.
Having said all that, I'll go back the first point which is that all of this is irrelevant to you at the moment - all you can do is work hard!!
Good luck
:ok:

Leon.. Nobody will know until you start live training whether you will validate.

Go for it - it's the best job in the world if you can do it.

Very best of luck...

Thanks for the help guys. My concern is that at 23 now I might be 26 and then end up not getting validation and be back at square one. Rest assured, the training will have my undivided, 100% commitment.

For what it's worth, I found that in my time at the college, I had little spare time to wonder about what unit i was going to, let alone validation time/rates. And I had the same opinion as you walking in at 22, just got out of college and still have no idea how long (if at all) it will take me to validate at my unit. All you can do is give it a shot, and its fun too. ;)

Leon, and anyone esle reading this in your situation...... The best advice I had was to igonore stats! It is not a simple "x percent of you will pass this course / position" etc etc, it is down to the individuals. If you work hard and have the mental capacity, you can pass each hurdle. The college can be intense at times, and emotional :{ but it's how YOU deal with it that will matter! I have just finished aerodrome (i'm 29), and upon starting it in January I really thought that I was going to fall at this stage, then almost every 2 weeks when we had sim exams (how it felt anyway!!) I kept thinking "this is it" just waiting to see the big "u/s" box ticked (unsatisfactory!), but it never happened and I got through it. Pretty much everyone else on the course seemed to be the same! You can't even judge other people on their previous experiences, or how brainy they appear. So just get into college and do it! The same applies for validating. Stats mean nothing! At Heathrow the trainers are aiming for a 100% validation rate in the near future, and this is possible (hope for AJ7 yet... ;)). Remember, the college / units will change their training methods, and this may be for better, or for worse at times so stats again may not reflect what's happening. Anyway, go there, work hard, and enjoy!!!! :ok:

Damn.....that's news to me.....you mean we no longer fail someone just for the hell of it? :E

Yes, that was humour, before anyone jumps down my throat. Just wanted to make the point that every unit aims for a 100% validation rate. :ok:

I'll try not to botch up that 100% target when i get there... no promises though ;)

Ahhh, Gonzo, you take all the fun out of sniping at LL. ;)

Ah Spitoon, I thought I'd best get in there first!!!! :ok: