No minimum term at the moment. Probably best to not talk about leaving at your interview though:}

I didn't mean that, I meant questions along the line of "Are you happy to commit X number of years to a job etc". It's not like I see ATC as a stepping stone between jobs.

Ginger,

When I was interviewed (earlier this year) I wasn't specifically asked whether I saw NATS and ATC as a long term commitment.. but many of the questions indirectly give you the opportunity to show that NATS and ATC is your long term career plan.

As you've pointed out, the fact that it costs NATS a huge amount in time and money to train an ATCO means it must surely be a fair line of questioning for them to go down. You may not be asked outright, but it's a good idea to have answers ready which show that you are committed to this career path and have examples drawn from your past that show you are able to stick to decisions/plans and follow them through. I.e. if you've changed jobs / university courses / etc a few times be prepared to explain exactly why!

Good Luck!

anyone going to marblr arch on the 4th of october

NATS selection 1st stage tests.
 

Hi all,

I have got my 1st stage interview and test tomorrow afternoon (Oct 4th) at a The Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch.

Does anyone know have much time you are given in the aptitude/written tests?

My preparation has consisted of brushing up on the info and tests examples given on the NATSCareers website, and I've got 9 years experience as Cabin Crew for the Wold's most delayed airline :ugh:...

Any suggestions to what else I can do to set myself up for the day would be much appreciated.

Cheers :ok:

The Nielster

Loads of info if you follow this link! ;)

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=265195

Ok I had my first stage interview on 13th Sept and I haven't heard a peep from anyone about the outcome, am I on my own in this situation cos i'm a little tired of waiting for a response as they said there would be a reply in 15 days (+/-)?

Phone up and chase, don't be scared. Chances are your result just hasn't been sent out.. this happened to me!

check you pms

Hi everyone,

I have my second 1st-stage in a couple of weeks time!
Does anyone know if second/third timers are marked more harshly in any way? obviously we know what to expect and can prepare for it.

If it's possible i think i'm even more nervous than the first time - hate those cubes and the personality questionnaire is just annoying. although from what i've read here things are different this year.

I was so upset when i didnt get through last time and this year i want it even more!
Have read through this thread and got lots of useful advice from you all! Thanks!!

just did the personality questionnaire for stage 1.

that thing is horrible,

it would probably look like I'm a complete psycho from the answers that I was forced to put in due to not having any better choices

I doubt they'd mark it different for a 2nd timer, well I hope they don't as I'll be sitting stage one for the 2nd time next year. Maybe an ATC official can clarify this.
Best of luck Kuolema and bencoder, hope you make it.

I'm starting at the college in March (or possibly the beginning of April I was told today) and am wondering if anyone reading this is at the college and can offer any advice on how to survive and still cover rent at home on £10k? Is there anywhere to get a career advancing loan? I am 27 and I was told there's some sort of government grant for some careers if you're under 25 (though I don't know if they cover ATC anyway) but I will be in debt very soon with the initial salaries and would appreciate any help people can send my way!

Also, in terms of prep before beginning the course, any advice?

I was going to wait until starting before sorting out accommodation as I have somewhere I can camp out for a week or two in Winchester until I find somewhere. Do people normally get together and house share or is it a case or B & B ing it?

Keep at it those of you who haven't got in first time - I didn't manage it but got called back to repeat stage 2 (the interview) so I guess that means
I got in second time!

Well done Billy Girl!

Not sure whether you can get career advancing loans or not... but do you know that as of September we now receive a monthly accomodation allowance on top of the 10K? It's not a huge amount but have found it enough to cover the rent down here, so that helps a bit.

The majority of trainees b&b it for a few weeks, and then many get together and house share. You will need to think carefully about renting though, as the minimum contracts tend to be for 6 months, and you could find yourself stuck if the course doesn't run to plan or if you end up holding somewhere else between courses/recourses.

As for course prep... you will probably receive a distance learning package from NATS in the near future (we were sent a navigation package) and you will need to know that inside out for the start of the course. In addition you could get a head start by looking at spotters guides as you will need to be able to recognise a variety of a/c and helicopters from photos (for the aircraft characteristics and performance exam). It's also a good idea to retain the information you were given to learn for the interview process as it will feature in your theory lessons - eg. radio nav aids (VOR, DME, ILS etc).

Hope that helps!

Thanks very much for all that, and to the private messages I've received. I'm very relieved to hear about the allowance!

Whew,

Just got an email, got through stage 1 & the personality questionnaire. No slots available yet for stage 2 however.

Anyone know how often they get updated?

Time to start arranging some visits I would say.

Ben

Stage 2 slots
 

Ben,

I spoke to HR a couple of days ago as I couldn't get time off to go to any of the stage2 slots in October.

They just said to check back next week for November dates.

Good luck :)

Stu

Just back from the 1st stage selection in Glasgow. Much how I remember it from last year but a lot slicker..

Eyes have still not recovered from the damn cubes!!

Now to wait....

I had my aptitude test on the 4th of this month, have done a second personality test which was emailed to me, and now have a more thorough application form to complete. Does this mean I passed the tests or is it all part of the same excrutiating stage?

Thanks

Ginger ;)

Hmmm? When I went through the process in June, it was Stage 1 Aptitude tests, then the personality questionnaire online, then I got invited to Stage 2 Computer tests at Fareham.

This must be something else that has been added in to the process?