NATS DEGs
 

Hello everyone,
I am a freshly registered ppruner and have a question, although not sure it belongs here (apologies to moderators who might want to move it to the appropriate forum). I am wondering if anyone has any information on the time it takes NATS to respond to applications to their Engineering DEGs (Direct Entrant Graduate scheme), and if a positive reply is received what the format of the interview is. I have applied for the NATS DEG scheme on the 13th of August and they'll start assessments on the 25th. Just a bit tense over here cos that'll be really the only job I'm interested in out of dozens applications I've sent out. :D
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thank you all.

PS Been browsing PPrune since Oct 2002, Jesus this forum is the best thing Ive ever come across on the Internet. :ok:

:(
well ok, it seems as though my post hasn't got anyone to reply to it. Oh well never mind, perhaps no one really knows about NATS' DEGs. :{
Thanks anyway, I am sure someone took the time to read my original post and felt like "What the hell is this sod talking about..."
Hopefully I'll have questions that are less "obscure" in the future when (hopefully again) I have enough £££ to support me own flight training (unless all my Qs find As through searching).
Compliments again to the PPrune staff and ppruners for the high quality of these forums.

No answer to your question I'm afraid but don't get uptight if you don't have a reaction in only 3 hours after your initial post. Most people have a job to do

Hey Cesco

I'm on a well earned 2 weeks leave at the moment but if you PM mre I will give you a possible contact at LTCC who should know what is going on.

Lon More:
>Most people have a job to do
:ouch:
sorry about my lack of consideration for those who work full time for real. Really. I do not want to sound like another obnoxious poster on PPrune, my sincere apologies for being uptight.

goldfrog:

thanks, will PM you asap:D

There's loads of DEGs down in Bournemouth (or have they moved yet?). The co-ordinators of the scheme, however, live at Highfield (I hear there's a new one). If you ring NATS personnel, they should be able to give you the co-ordinator's name (or if you PM me, I can let you know her name, and also give you some e-mail addresses for other DEG alumni).

Thanks for you reply Llamapo, the news you report is interesting and I might as well ring NATS tomorrow morning to ask about DEGs...
PM'd you just now. :)
Having some insiders' views of what DEGs is like and the assessment process would be a good idea.
Thanks for your info.

[edited a few typos.. sorry but ts 9pm and still havent had dinner yet.. :P]

My personal experience of DEGs is that they come to 'work' for NATS already knowing more about the job than anyone else (most - not all). Some are arrogant to the point of disbelief and think that because NATS has a DEG scheme they are the only graduates NATS has.

The process of converting these people takes from a few seconds via a smack in the gob to a few months when they find out just what experience is. Then, on the whole, they are pretty good.

If you come into NATS with the right attitude you will do just fine.

Hi Minesapint,
thanks for your views. I personally do not know much about whats involved in working for NATS under the DEG scheme.
I have done some work on software systems for ATC, but only to practice software engineering skills on academic background. No real world experience.

Of course there are arrogant knobs who think their the only "smart" ones around or the cream of the crop, whatever.
In fact I'm pretty sure NATS has graduates all over the place not just in DEGs but also as ATCOs etc etc (your point I believe).
And IMHO being a graduate does not make one a greater potential than the next lad. Some of the finest ATCOs and pilots and people in aviation do not even have a degree, so much for the brilliant graduate.

I'd just like to put to use what I've learnt in my good 4 years at Uni. And I figured it'd be very nice to do it in aviation as it is my greatest interest after all.
Now, I'm just keepin my fingers crossed and hoping NATS contact me for assessment soon, hope to get through that and start on 22 Sept. ;)

[edited a few typos ;) ]

I would like to thank everyone whos helped me by providing contact details so that I could enquire about DEGs.
I have now acquired knowledge of the fact that my application will not be taken any further and thus i will not be invited for assessment.
Thanks to all who helped.

Hi Cesco....

Sorry to hear they've not let you in......

Please PM me an email for you, as I have a job you might be interested in......

Chris.

I am sorry too about that, very much. :{
However, life must go on.
I PM'd you with my email. Hope you got that.
Looking forward to receiving your email:ok: