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.