I guess the good news is that the number of people trying to book should be reducing each time they release new dates. so it should get easier.

That said, hopefully NATS re-think this entire booking process for when they re-open applications, because it's clearly not working efficiently and causing lots of unnecessary stress.

Stage 3
 

Hi, has anyone who sat stage 3 throughout the month of July heard back yet?

Personal circumstances
 

Good Morning all,

First time post as I’m struggling to find an answer anywhere and I’m hoping someone might be able to help.

I was due to attend assessments in the last round of applications but I withdrew my application due to personal circumstances (not wishing to be too emotive but my three year old son was undergoing leukaemia treatment).

Now I know that withdrawing makes one ineligible to reapply for a period of time but I was wondering if NATS might consider my circumstances. I didn’t explain the matter at the time as my priorities were elsewhere.

Thankfully my son is now doing extremely well, but I am searching my emails for a contact within NATS and just cannot find one.

Would anyone have any advice on how I could approach them explaining what happened and asking them to perhaps allow me to reapply? I have filled in the online contact form on the website but have not had a response.

many thanks
M

Still nothing heard from July assessments.

Are people still struggling to get Stage 3 assessments? I passed stage 2 in July and still haven't been able to get a slot, early August was the last time I heard they'd released slots and after checking multiple times I never got a space.

Really don't want this to use up one of the three 'chances' on the scheme.

I check the original email every few days and still nothing. On the 8th/10th August, I refreshed every 10 seconds all day and got nothing. Their last email mostly just says "Don't email us..."

Have you heard back finally? Can someone who passed or failed at stage 3 this year can tell us how long he had to wait? Thank you :)

It was around 6 weeks until they found time to tell me I hadn't made the cut, despite saying during the interview that it would be "2-3 weeks" :*

Wow that’s long… And did you feel that you succeeded after stage 3?

I wasn't very confident after Stage 3. It didn't go particularly badly but the Assessment Centre was very "HR focused". Competency-based interviews seem to rely heavily on your interview technique, which is not one of my strengths....

Hooray, another ballot-style Stage 3 extravaganza in October... 🙄

Stage 3
 

Hi everyone,
Has anyone any feedback on how the stage 3 assessments have been going at all? Not after what the exact questions are but anyone able to shed light on the day about the order of things or if you are able to advise if the ATC test is multiple choice. If I’ve understood this right, there are more psychometric tests, group exercise and an interview.
Thank you.

I had my stage 3 assessment day a couple of weeks ago - could anyone let me know when they heard back after their stage 3?

I see that people who had their assessment centres in summer waited up to 6 weeks :bored: Has anyone had a more recent assessment centre who could advise?

For ours we were told that we would find out within a week but I think this was only if you were successful. In my case I think it was around 3 weeks to find out I failed.

I heard I was successful just over a week later. My stage 3 assessment was mid October. Good luck 🤞

Congratulations! When does your course start? I imagine NATS must have be filled most of their spaces for 2024 already?

Hi there :) I had my assessment date mid-October, and heard back via phone call 4 weeks later, with a yes - July 2024 course

Did anyone else managed to get feedback from their assessment? I put a lot of effort into my preparation for it and to not know why I failed has been pretty difficult.

Thanks so much for getting back to me - my assessment centre was late October so I’m hoping I’ll hear back this week!

Hope you hear soon, and good luck! To be honest, it seems that there is such variation in the length it takes to hear back, that I don't think more time is any indication of pass/fail.

Best of luck, and let me know if you happen to be on my course! :D

Thank you! March 2024 so counting down the days!

Exciting times!

It's interesting to see they are still offering courses for the first half of next year. They have held so many Stage 3 assessments now (2-3 / month for 6 months = 200+ people). If they have only filled a few courses so far there must be quite a low % of people making it through.

Interesting that they're also recruiting experienced controllers at the moment too.

Congratulations! Is this for Area or Aerodrome? I’m on the July Area course :)

I found out 5 days after my Stage 3 - seems to be a variety in times regardless whether people have been successful or not. I’m July 2024 course too!

Nice one! Congratulations 😊 I tried to send you a private message but the site only seems to allow direct messages to people with at least 3 posts.
As we’re on the same course, let me know if you want to connect somehow 😁

​​​​​​Congrats! Aerodrome for me. Just can't wait to get cracking now!

Stage 3 on 23-Nov, offered an Area Course starting 8-Dec-24 (I have a 9 month notice period).

Interestingly they were doing another Stage 3 assessment today.

How do you guys know whether you're on an area or aerodrome course? I'll be starting training next year but don't think I've been told which one, unless i'm missing something?

I asked when they offered the date; was only really interested in Area.

supposedly they were planning to reopen applications early next year, but if they are still conducting assessments from the last round perhaps this will be delayed. It seems that courses wouldn't be available until Q3/Q4 next year (or later...) anyway, so here is no rush to start a new round of recruitment.

I believe (not sure....) that all the courses at Global are aerodrome, whereas the Whiteley ones could be either? It's interesting (and good!) that you get to find out at this early-stage - with an area course you already know you will end up at either Swanwick or Prestwick for example.

This is correct.

Once I get to 3 posts I'll ping you a message :ok:

Hi guys,

Does anyone know how often NATS open applications for the trainee ATC roles? Once a year etc, I'm interested in applying but I noticed some of you are starting courses up to the end of this year - so they may not open applications again for a long while potentially?

Appreciate no one knows for sure but if you do have a rough idea that would be appreciated! :)

Hi everyone,
Got my eyes on a career in ATC after I finish my maths degree at university in June '25, so doing as much research and prep as I can now. I know they don't require a degree at all but I want to finish what I've started! I'm monitoring website to watch when the applications open (currently just says reopening 2024), given what I have seen online, is it worth applying as soon as they open, even with more than a year (potentially before I can start?) Also if anyone has tips for the online assessments (or any educated guesses on when applications may open) that would be great :)

My time from applying to sitting Stage 3 was over 6 months (delays in booking a final interview) and I had a 12 month notice period from my job which they were fine with, so I'd say go for it when they open; risk of no recruitment next year, or get a second chance next year if you don't pass this year.

I was 9 months from starting to job offer (+7 months start date); if I were you, I would apply as soon as possible and increase opportunities to get through Stage 3 assessment etc.

And I am due to start in Jul 2024 as well, so if anyone else knows they are starting then, like you chaps above, it would be good to have a chat!

Im not starting in 2024 but I am intrested in doing ATC and I have a few questions if you dont mind!
First off congrats and how was the recruitment process? was it difficult to pass and did you reapply?

Got my stage 3 this week, not going to lie, i am starting to get nervous now! Good luck to anyone else in same boat.