Hi all,

I've been with NATS for a while now training in Area, just passed final exams at CTC and awaiting posting detail to unit.

If you have questions about the actual time at the college feel free to drop me a message.
I also went to Jerez to do the basic & foundation part of the course so if you want to know anything about that let us know.

I don't know anything about the new interview process/when they will start up again!

Hi all, i've been following along for a while now but decided to register an account. I have my stage 3 coming up in March.

I would be very grateful for any handy tips for the assessment day (like how in depth do you need to know the pre- read material? Word for word, or just know the basic content, structure of ATC in the UK etc?

Also, i've been wondering if there is any one particular type of ATCO that is more 'in demand' from trainees. i.e. is tower more popular than area to get into for example? If so why? What are the pros and cons to each type of ATCO position? Thanks for any and all responses!

Amazing well done!

I would say that learn that book cover to cover, the aircraft spec. (If they are still in there) are not going to appear lots but they will ask. They want o see you an retain information in a very short space of time!

Also they all take you to either Area or aerodrome and the majority are currently going through the area route because there is a grater need. People want different things, some guys on my course are desperate for area and vice-versa but ultimately you do not really get a choice!

😌

Hi all. I am starting at TATC Swanwick at the end of April 2020, still awaiting any kind of joining instructions. Does anyone have any advice for finding accommodation? Is there a separate thread here for that?

I haven't heard anything back yet, had Stage 3 in Jan. Anyone else had news yet? Good luck to everyone waiting...

Does anyone know.... is it usually a call or an email that everyone gets?!.....

If you’re starting at Swanwick then ask NATS. When I got my posting they sent me recommendations of where to look for accommodation. They should put you in touch with other trainees (who were possibly on the same course as you) to help as well.

Hello

Apologies if this is not the relevant thread, but does anybody have any indication when NATS are likely to open up the trainee ATCO vacancy window again?

It’s a job I have long dreamed of doing but due to family circumstances have not really been in a position to apply before.

I have signed up for the alert and check the website everyday but just wondering if the trainee window opens up every few months, years etc?

Cheers

I would imagine it will open again because there is an urgent need for more and more controllers. It's just backlogged at the moment and that's why it has temporarily shut down. Once it's out the way, I would imagine the website will accept applications again.

JH

Did you get a call yet? Even I gave my stage 3 in Jan, still waiting

Hi all,

Just wanted to ask if there was any way to find the materials NATS use for the interviews and assessments such as the aircraft technical knowledge and the general ATC knowledge stuff.

Have you heard anything back yet from Stage 3 JH?

Not Yet. Hoping for a call any day now!

I had stage 3 in January too, haven't heard anything yet (7 weeks and counting). Hoping the call comes soon to put me out of my misery!

Yea me a Stage 3 Jan. Fingers crossed guys that it's not too long and that it's positive news!

Anyone else on here have their stage 3 on Wednesday?

Anyone heard any updates or reasons for delays letting people know the results of Stage 3 from the end of 2019/early 2020??

Seems like fairly poor form to not be communicating reasons for delays.

Can't see my training course beginning April 27th due to the current global crisis. Has anyone at NATS heard anything regarding the companies plans for training?

When last did you hear from them/have you tried getting an update from them??

Hi - the last i heard from them was Monday last week (9th Mar). A phone call from HR to confirm my security clearance had been completed and formal offers would be sent out by the end of the week we're on now.

But quite clearly an enormous amount has happened. Haven't been in touch yet, want to let the dust settle a bit. I am aware of NATS making cut backs though due to the airline's heavily reducing traffic.

Could you tell me where you heard this?

Thank you,

JH

This is the biggest aviation downturn since 9/11 so it's unlikely that recruitment will continue as normal. Preserving current jobs would be a good start.
However as far as I am aware, no official communication has been made yet.

Yep, I just had my Stage 3 assessment day cancelled for tomorrow due to the Virus. Anyone else in the same boat? I wonder what date they will reschedule for...

I don’t think they’re cutting anything back yet. Just placing people on hold and slowing the training process down. NATS are know as much as most of us and are waiting to see how things pan out.
Those of us OJT won’t get any done as there isn’t any traffic to train with.

Assessment day
 

Anyone else assessment day cancelled ?? Due to the virus. I just received an email

Has traffic really dried up that much?

Do you have stats to show how much traffic has reduced from the 6000 daily flights through the airspace?

JH

Yeah me too. I had just boarded the plane when the email came through this morning. I was lucky they let me off the flight.

check Eurocontrol Twitter feed for daily updates.
UK shows down 30% ish at the moment (feels more than that at work). However many routes are still winding down. There will be a lot less traffic next week.

Hey, when did you attend your stage 3?

Yes it has. I don’t have any stats but as mike says check the twitter feeds. Where I am it has gone really quiet to the point I’m just studying at home with a part 2 until I get a call. Towers only want operational staff at the moment to!

Mine was Jan, haven't heard back yet. I guess there won't be any news for a while now. How about you?

Got the call!
 

I had my stage 3 a week or so ago and got the phone call today to let me know I’ve been successful!

I was a little surprised to get the call given the current state of the industry, but over the moon to have made the cut!

They did say I probably wouldn’t hear anything further now for a little while until things play out. Is anybody else in the same boat? Hope to see some of you in a few months time for training!

Congrats.

Strange that you were last for the assessment and yet got the call before the December people!

JH

Congratulations! I had the same call yesterday, and exactly the same thoughts yesterday, so pleased. Hopefully see you for training!
(I had my Stage 3 in Jan, fingers crossed for everyone still waiting, good luck).

[QUOTE=Martmart;10718928]Yeah me too. I had just boarded the plane when the email came through this morning. I was lucky they let me off the flight.[/QUOTE


Ohh damn was you going to the Heathrow one too ??

hopefully they reschedule soon, I was looking forward to it

All external recruitment has now been suspended.

[QUOTE=Krissy9;10723399]I was going to fly into Gatwick then get the train down to Fareham. Someone from NATS phone me later on that evening to make sure I got the email, they said we would still stay in the same pool of applicants and were hoping to reschedule as soon as possible.

April 27th course has been postponed, I found this out last week. Not surprising at all. The email suggested a summer start but i am skeptical... this mess doesn't look a quick one to resolve unfortunately.

Fingers crossed we hear more soon. Handed in my notice last week and i am now without a job - although i am certainly not alone in this boat right now.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news to all the prospective new ATCOs, but there’s not going to be any courses for a long time!

The industry is on its knees. Traffic numbers will not return to previous levels for a number of years. There’s likely to be many voluntary redundancies offered.

We also need to factor in the number of UK expats in the middle and far east who will, very soon, be returning to these shores looking for jobs. A unit will always try to take a previously valid controller over an ab initio. Especially in the financially crippled future of civil aviation.

I hope I’m wrong, but it would be wise to keep your career options open if you’re relying on a NATS cadetship.

I understand this - but a phone call from NATS two days ago suggested otherwise? They also offered people jobs two/three days ago also - so is this a hunch from yourself or have you categorically been told that courses won't be happening 'for a long time?'

The only official notice is that all external recruitment is suspended. Well, there’s lots of other cutbacks too but not for discussion here.

I’m just speaking from many years experience in the company. We’ve seen multi-year stoppages on ab initio training before, and not for anything nearly as bad as this!