Air Traffic Control Assistant (Scotland) seeking ATC work in Canada - anyone advise??

[topcat1]

Good afternoon,

My husband and I desperately want to emigrate to Canada and are trying to research/source job opportunities in our related fields. I currently work as an Air Traffic Control Assistant in a Scottish Tower. I have 9 years experience of assisting controllers in TWR & RDR, plus vast ATC ops experience - Flight Planning, Aircraft Training, Slots, Emergency Co-ordination, Assistant Training & Manuals etc.

Is there such a osition as this in Canada or is it only Flight Support Specialists ans ATCOs?? Can anyone give me any advice on this?

Cheers

[Married a Canadian]

NAV Canada aren't recruiting at present for any "experienced controller" placements. However FSS seems to be a quiet topic.

Try the NAV Canada website...and get a number to speak to someone direct. Emailing and using their links dosen't work. Your experience will stand you in good stead....you just need to contact them person to person

[Big Ru Ru]

I'm afraid I will have to disagree with you "Married a Canadian"... My sister recently had an assesment with Nav Canada for an ATC gig and according to her they're actively recruiting. She will be starting courses soon in Cornwall, Ontario. Besides, I don't see why they wouldn't hire "Topcat 1" coming from overseas... she has experience under her belt. I'ts only easier to train her.

[J.O.]

There are several accents from the British Isles on our ATC frequencies these days, and most of them are relatively new hires who came here from the UK after a recruiting effort by NavCanada.

[topcat1]

Thanks!

Hey guys,

Thanks for taking the time out to respond. Yeah, I have been on various websites including the NAV Canada website but seem to be getting nowhere.

I do feel that I need more direct contact links with actual ATC Towers and to speak to someone on a one to one level. I'm sure I could fit in somewhere.

Just need the help to find that place.

Great feedback from you all.

I would certainly welcome any valuable contacts if anyone out there can help.

Cheers!

[Married a Canadian]

Just reporting what I have heard and what a lot of people have said...it was getting more and more difficult to get an interview...and there had been problems with the "experienced controller" at various units...so the official word was it was "under review". There are still some controllers from overseas in the system who had their assessments before this came about. Unfortunately most of the people I have spoken to in the last 3 months have been told that offical line..and there have been no new controllers at YYZ from the program in the last year (outwith the one guy who was assessed over a year ago)

Happy to be proved wrong if NAV Canada are still recruiting from overseas.

It dosen't change the fact though that talking to NAV Canada direct is the best thing. Try PMing Jerricho or Cossack....both have good advice on the system...Jerricho is in Winnipeg..Cossack is YYZ tower...so a broad spectrum.

[topcat1]

Hi again

Thanks for the info.

I do not have any Air Traffic Controller experience and I do not necessarily want to become a controller. If the opportunity came about I would consider a course, but I think it would be yoo much to take that on at the same time as emigrating. What I would be looking for initially would be a similar job to that I am doing at the moment - ATC Assistant. Do you know if there is such a job role in the Canadian ATC Towers??

Thanks

Topcat1

[cossack]

Somebody say my name?

topcat 1

There are no support staff in the tower at YYZ and haven't been for about 10 years since they installed electronic flight data processing (EFPS for the UK types). There are ATOS (ATSAs) in the ACC working in flight planning and some in the training department (blip drivers). As for contacting them direct, I agree thats the best course of action. As one of my colleagues mentioned on the other forum, immigration approval may not be as easy to obtain for these positions as it was for controllers.

Becoming a controller here would entail ab initio training without pay with no guarantee of success.

Good luck in your efforts. I've been here almost 5 years now and have never been happier.

Big Ru Ru

As you're in Canada I'm guessing you're sister was interviewed for ab initio training, not as part of an offshore, experienced recruitment. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[topcat1]

Thanks for the info Cossack!

Good info - thanks!

I at leat know now that there is no chance I can do the same job in a Tower that I do in the UK, however, I am confident could do an ATOS job.

Is that a position you apply direct for, or is it somethng you need to go and do a specific course for frst and then they post you anywhere.

Would it be cheeky to ask if you have any good contacts within the ACC's or somewhere could get them?

Cheers

Topcat1

[cossack]

You're welcome! I used to work at Edinburgh (89-97), not sure if we have that in common.

I don't know many people at the ACC, they don't let us tower types in
MaC works there, he'd be you're best bet for info for now. They are supposed to be providing tower simulators in Toronto and they might need staff for that in the future.

The backlog for Permanent Residence applications is about 3-4 years I believe (maybe more now) so an immigration application/immigration without the work permit/HRDC approval will be slow. Work permits take less than 2 weeks once the approval is in place and you can relax and apply for PR whilst you are here. Your application would receive some poriority too.

For immigration issues have you tried britishexpats.com ?

Cheers

[topcat1]

Thanks cossack!!

You've been a great help. I shall try and contact MaC and check out the expat site.

Cheers!

[Big Ru Ru]

Hi Cossack,
I'm pretty sure she was hired for the ab initio.