CTC in April
 

I'm also on the April start at ctc.

Did anyone else have to feign excitement when told about the April start date when really they were disappointed because they were hoping for Jan, or was that just me!?

Anyway, well done to all. Let me know if the WhatsApp gets set up.

A useful skill for a Nats career :)

Does anybody know if there is still a coach service from Bournemouth to CTC and who runs it if so?
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Ps. Congratulations to everyone who has received their start date, also 27th April :)

Struggling to PM you I think because of the way this forum works with new users.

Usernames Quilt, tf412 and myself have started a group if you can PM one of us your number we'll add you in.
You may have to delete all the other messages in your inbox to do this as I believe the system only allows 1 active message for new users (if anyone one knows different feel free to enlighten!)

Hi everyone

Same thing here - 27th January at CTC.

Quilt, I've messaged you with my phone number for the WhatsApp group. If you could add me in, that would be great

Thanks

P.S. Congratulations to everyone who passed and got assigned to a course

Has anyone got any details when they will reopen the tests

Is anyone going to the November assessment days? I haven't heard anything from NATS since the invite and I'm a bit worried that they're not going ahead

Great! Clear your inbox and I'll send you a PM with the whatsapp details.

Sounds about right - I wouldn't worry.

Haha yes I also had to feign excitement! Didn't help that I'd just woken up so must've sounded especially grumpy... Still over the moon to be starting the course. Also same with whatsapp group for April, let me know :)

I think technically there's no upper age limit (in the UK at least) due to age discrimination laws. As far as I understand things, some (many?) ATCOs retire when they are in their late 50s (but I could be wrong about this), and you also need to factor in that it could be 2-3 years before you are validated. So, I'd say work out how many years that leaves you in between and decide if you think it's worth the investment in terms of time and money (because during the training years you have to get by on a very low salary). I'm in my late 30s... I'm not sure if that put me at the "older end of the age range" or not, as I know some trainees are older than me, but at the same time I'd never have been accepted by many ANSPs, such as Eurocontrol.

anyone got news on when NATS will re-open there recruitement tests?

I think you'll find no-one on here will have any inside knowledge on this. But I think you can register your interest and be notified when applications open up again. I can't imagine it will be any time soon though (i.e. next 6-12 months), as there are people who have already got through S2 awaiting their S3, and people still waiting to be assigned to courses next summer.

As far as I know ATCOs retire when they become 60, at least this is for the men, not sure about the women though.

There is no compulsory retirement age in the UK and NATS cannot and do not force anyone of either sex out due to their age.

If you are competent you can stay as long as you want.

However, most cut and run with their large pension pots as soon as financially viable, usually between 55 and 60.

Thx for replying anyways

Hello
 

Hi mate
Passed my stage 2 in May, if I remember it right. Looks like it takes about six months, at least, until the next stage.
All the best!

Cool. Will do now.

Cleared my inbox!

The typical age (and earliest) for retirement at the moment is 55. But this is because they have the old final salary pension and have pots worth millions. You (and I) won't have when we reach 55, so it won't be the norm for long.

Might be me (47)... ;)

is anyone signing up for nats now as they are re open to candidates

They just opened Early Career opportunities for students and graduates, internships and apprenticeships.

Hi all, just a quick question - How long does the ATC recruitment process usually take? I'm currently in my second year of Uni and was just wondering if there's any point in applying if applications open up in the next few months or whether I should just wait until I'm in my final year? Thanks for the help:)

Thanks for the reply! :ok:

If you get offered a job you can tell them of your circumstances to defer starting at the college. Might be best to apply in your last year though.

I'm a first year student and am going to apply now because its better now then later when im in my degree

Hi GandalfGaming2144 I know that most other companies (in other sectors) do have yearly graduate schemes available so would of course apply for 2021 schemes (year of graduation). But since ATC schemes are far less abundant I thought I should just apply for any schemes which arise over the next few months.

I would apply for ATC because you have a life job and well paid money plus its not like the sector will lose jobs in the next 40 years

i'm not doing it for the money im just saying that if your doing a degree and your worried that ATC is risky because you may not be able to pay for bills or something like that then you don't need to be because the trainee air traffic controller if a good job to provide for yourself. plus i was on about the ATC