Don't give up Niki86, This is my second attempt and I'm doing much better than the first time.
So If you really want to be an ATC, don't give up!! :ok::ok::ok:


Thank you for the information joebog, can I ask you something by PM? :)

Of course megamc, go ahead!

Hi Ariadne,

I don't think the initial stage tests were difficult. I didn't prepare for that before, apart from the practice questions that I received before the tests.

I received an email saying that I passed that stage about 2-3 weeks after doing the stage one. But then I was another 6 months before I received an invitation for Stage 2.

So be patient;) And good luck!

Stage 2
 

Thanks Megamc,

That's exactly what I was thinking - that at my next attempt I will know what to expect. Just need to wait 2 years and apply again :)

And regarding your question: I finished my Stage 2 at about 2.15-2.30pm (that was last year). There was 7 of us and I finished last, so I'm guessing it's really hard to say when this would finish, as it depends on the number of people and how fast they do it.

Stage 1 is tough Ariadne, mostly down to the short amount of time you have to answer each question rather than the questions themselves being hard. I would imagine this stage is testing your ability to work under stress and pressure, so prepare yourself for that! I found out quite quickly that I'd passed (I think the next day), but it was a year ago since I passed stage 0&1 so don't hold me to that.

I take it nobody waiting for a stage 3 invite has heard anything yet?

Hi, first time poster, hope someone can help, I have my stage 2 this week and am panicking a bit as the website says that I am supposed to receive some advanced materials for the ATC test and I haven't as yet. Should I have received something? And if so, I don't suppose anyone would be able to send a PDF or something with the materials?

Stage 3 dates available! 29-30 September. So excited! :D

CONGRATULATIONS ! HANIMA :ok:

I've booked onto the 29th! Can't believe how fast we've heard!!

Pumpkintom, you don't receive or need any literature anymore. Just turn up and do your best! Good luck!

Wonderful news and thanks for the reply! Lets hope for the best then :ok:

See you on the 29th!!!

Good luck everyone heading into stage 3 at the end of this month.
Here`s hoping some more stage 2 dates will be released soon.

Does anyone have any contact details to help me arrange a tower/centre visit? I've contacted Swanwick but after a bit of digging the lady called me back and directed me to the NATS website to book it, which states that they don't arrange any visits! I'm starting to run out of avenues to try!

I stand with joebog, any help towards arranging a tower/centre visit would be very much appreciated :)

In the past the HR guys had contact details for visitor contacts which they would provide on request when you made it to stage 3, is that no longer the case?

To arrange a visit I suggest you write to or e-mail the General Manager at the NATS address of the centre or tower you are trying to visit. Mention that you are asking to visit because you are progressing through the selection process.

I've been reading this thread since I applied in December '13 but this is my first time posting... Is there anyone else starting the course on 7th December? And if so have you heard anything from the college yet? I was told my start date a couple of weeks ago and was told I would hear but haven't as yet. Obviously with the amount of time everything has taken before this I'm not surprised it's taking a little while to hear, but was just wondering if anyone else had yet??

I may be moved to 7th December too! :)
I'd love to know from those of you who have just started. Did you receive material to study before starting? How did you look for accommodation? Were you able to contact each other before starting the course?...

Nice to hear from you, Manusa. I enjoyed a lot of your input when I was preparing for stage 2 ;)

Any piece of advice for those of us preparing for stage 3? Did you get to visit a tower/centre before your interview? How did you prepare for it?

Congratulations on passing stage 2! :D
I did visit some facilities... but in Spain. I didn't have the opportunity to visit any NATS facility prior to stage 3.
As it has been said earlier in this thread, when you get to stage 3 you have already proven your skills and it's all about proving you want to be an ATCO, you want to learn, you fit the role, think about any past experience that might be useful/related... Try to sell yourself! (In an honest way ;) )
As for the interview itself, I honestly don't have much to add since it was my first job interview ever! :O

Best of luck!

I'm on the December 7th intake, just got my conditional offer through just then, still waiting on Medical results and security stuff but should be alright.

Same here, officially starting 7th December! :)

I'm in the class too!
 

Hi Guys, first post!

Received word yesterday that Dec 7th would be my official start date for the ATCO Ab-Initio course.

I can't really seem to find much activity about it apart from on here.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Dec7ATCO/

I've created a FB group, with the hopes that other people will find it as well but in the meantime if you guys could join up so we can all discuss and organise things together that would be great!

I'm looking to see what sort of house share we can set up so if any of you have any ideas or are also looking let me know!

Thanks

Just got my medical finally cleared, just the security and referencing now haha.

Hey everyone ! First post here,

First of all, congratulations to all of you starting a course soon! :ok:

I've been reading this thread for the past couple of months, and just wanted to say a huge thanks cause it really helped me get through the stage 2.
I was just wondering, for the Stage 3, is it group exercise + one on one (well two actually) interview? Or just the latter?

Thanks for any reply!

Good luck to everyone !

Just quoting NATS website: 'If you’ve passed the tests above, you’ll be invited to book a competency-based interview. This is very important and it’s essential that you’re able to provide evidence of your achievements, whether in a formal work capacity or in other areas of life. Trained assessors, such as Air Traffic Controllers, HR representatives and members of the Human Factors group will score your responses.' ;)

But you will get more specific details with your Stage 3 invitation email :ok:

Good luck!

Stage 3 Invitation
 

Thanks!

Just got the invitation to stage 3 where it was detailed. I'm booked for Oct 6th. Anyone else booked for this date? I saw that some of you were booked for 29-30Sept

Dec 7th?
 

Hi guys,

Also a new poster here, and have heard that I will be starting my course on December 7th this year! Have noticed that a few others have already said hello, do any of you have any ideas about accommodation yet?
Really looking forward to starting and meeting you all!

I'm starting on the 7th December and so is somebody I work with up here conveniently, we're looking at getting a flat together somewhere but more than likely with a few other people because it'd be cheaper. I've seen a few 4 bedroomers on rightmove for around the 2-250 a week mark which between 4 isn't much.

Hi!
There is a facebook group for those starting 7th December:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Dec7ATCO/
:)

Is anybody on here the admin to the facebook group? I'm still pending haha.

So I had my stage 3 yesterday! It seemed like it went well, I don't have any regrets so couldn't have done anymore! Good luck to everyone else, here's hoping we hear back sooner rather than later!

HI GUYS!!!

I have booked for Oct 19, anyone else?

:ok:

I still havent been able to book myself for the stage 2 exams but I guess waiting a bit more is not going to kill me 😁. Good luck to everyone and congratulations to all of the ones that already have a starting date for their training.

Stage 3
 

Hi, long time reader, first time poster. I also attended stage 3 on the 29th. Felt it went well but now checking my email inbox every 30 seconds. Good luck to all that attended and fingers crossed.:ok:

Hi all. I got the fantastic news this morning that I've passed stage 3, and I'm also on the Ab Initio course starting 7th December. Good luck to everyone still in the process, and for those starting in December; see you on the 7th! :ok:

Congratulations !!! joebog :ok::ok:

Congratulations guys. Unfortunately i wasn't so lucky. Maybe next time.

:hmm: it seem like I'm the only one who will go next 19st to attend the stage 2....:cool:

Hey guys, new here. First of all i'd like to thank all of you for your advices and suggestions which have been very useful :ok:

Nevertheless, i finally decided to post on this topic because of this little doubt: I was waiting for a suitable Stage 2 assesment date but after a couple of cancellations i knew about two days before the date that i couldn't attend the last weeks, i checked again my invitation link from NATS and something changed. Instead of the traditional "There are no time slots available for this event as the date is fully booked (...etc)" i get "This event is no longer available for registration. PLEASE KEEP HOLD OF YOUR INVITATION EMAIL AND CHECK BACK FOR NEW DATES. WHEN WE OPEN UP NEW DATES, YOU WILL BE SENT A REMINDER EMAIL."

What does this exactly means? Maybe it's vacancies for the current TATC training course are all covered? When i check back my NATS Careers Vacancies system portal that job opening is still there... And i can even apply again.. :rolleyes::eek:

At least the "When we open up new dates you will be sent a reminder email" somehow reassures me...:confused:

By the way, best of luck to all of you attending Stage 2 and 3 assesment and also to ab initio course crew! :D

Thanks in advance, cheers!