Checking in, and a question please?
 

Hello all...great Forum.

I live a couple of miles from Newcastle Airport, and have always had a dream of working as a dispatcher/ Ground Handler.
After sending in a CV a couple of times in the past, without much success, I decided to do a bit more homework, and got wind of the Airport Environment qualification, which started on September 6th....sadly, it was September 23rd before I found out!!:rolleyes:

After talking to a very nice lady at Servisair, I was also told that the Holiday season is over now (which makes sense) so I am kinda out of luck, until next year.

I am happy to wait until next year, but in the meantime, I just wanted to ask you guys, if doing this course would 'greatly' increase my chances in my application?...it's quite expensive, but worth it if it helps give me a leg up...especially as I have no experience in this environment.

I'm self Employed at the minute (hours to suit) so would be happy with just a seasonal position, though obviously, a permanant position would be the ace card.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and any help / Advice / Sympathy gratefully recieved :)

Can I assume no-one knows?

Hello,

What exactly does this qualification involve?

Thanks, 750XL

Hello..thanks for your reply :)
If you have a look towards the bottom of this link, you will see a full rundown
Qualification details for EAL Level 2 NVQ in Providing Aviation Operations on the Ground - National Database of Accredited Qualifications

Hi,

I've done quite a bit of recruitment over the years around various airports and I have never heard of this qualification.

To be honest, most companies looking for checkin staff are only looking for some customer service experience and the ability to use a computer, along with numeracy, literacy and language skills.

For Baggage Handlers, its more about the ability to lift things up, and not be afraid of confined spaces.

For both roles you have to be a team orientated type who will fit in well with the existing staff.

For dispatch/load control, these roles are usually internal promotion positions. I have rarely appointed externally for these, but on the occasion I did, they usually went to someone with prior experience either from civil or military aviation.

I would save your money and time. You could spend quite a bit on getting the qualification and find on your first day in your new job that you are sitting in a room full of girls who used to work the tills in a shop, as that is the type of experience these companies are looking for.

Of course, these days a lot of temporary staff are sourced through the various agencies that have now sprung up. Keep your eye out for agency adverts rather that direct employer adverts as well.

For your own personal development, knowledge and interest I'm sure the course has something to offer, but don't think it will give you much advantage in getting the job.

I agree with James, although the qualification would definitely help in getting the job, I don't think it's really necessary.

I did a two year aviation operations course at college and got a job dispatching without any previous handling agent or proper aviation experience (other than working in retail there), although I do know this is extremely rare and not many people walk straight into dispatch externally, never mind without any experience...

750XL

PS - I sent you a PM :ok:

Thanks for your replies guys..have to say, thats rather dissapointing...as despatch is what I really wanted to do.
Check in isn't really where it's at for me, and although the Airport advertises for Despatch vacancies..looks a likely prospect, they're already taken :uhoh:

Posted the wrong link.

This is the one chaps..sorry (pdf)

http://www.cityandguilds.com/documen...onment_CEN.pdf

Don't be too disheartened.

Promotions can happen very quickly with handling agents as there's generally a large number of staff leaving / joining the company every year :cool:

I was also told to try for check-in or baggage handling jobs for a year or two for the experience then work my way up, that's how most of my colleagues started :)

Internal applicants for Dispatch/Load Control tend to be mainly from Checkin, purely because the rate of pay for dispatch is higher than checkin but lower than baggage handling.

If you want to get into Dispatch I would try to start in checkin if I were you.

Check in, ramp and dispatch all get paid the same where I work :*

where do you work then, 750?

I am a ground handler and have been for 4 years now and I absoloutly love every day that im in. Even though you dream of being a dispatcher, I would honestly say do some check-in for a while and some baggage handling and ramp operations as well if you want to, as then when you and your employer are ready to accept you for dispatch, you already have a wide knowledge of all the different areas and departments involved to help get that plane off the ground.

It may mean doing check-in and ramp side of things for 6 months to even a year before doing dispatch, but then at least you will have a broader perspective when you do eventually do dispatch, and treat us lot at front of house a bit kinder to not issuing us with any delays :ok:

Hope this helps

All the best of luck to you!

Speedbird

Thank you all very much for your help and advice.

Yes, working on Ramp would be great, wouldn't have a problem with that at all.

Just wondered though..If you apply for every job that comes up (usually a case of forwarding a CV to the same person each time)...would that not make the HR guys think you're after anything?...or would you guys not worry too much about applying for each and every opportunity?

Just don't want them to get sick of the sight of my CV
(I'm nothing if not determined!) ;)

I think I've made a slight 'technical' error!

I in fact, want to work on Ramp.... DOH!:ooh:

I did a National Diploma in Aviation Environment and went straight into dispatch - didn't do me any harm. Although plenty of people do check-in before they dispatch, a knowledge of the industry, some experience (I gained this through college whilst doing my diploma) together with a burning desire to get airside can get you where you want to be. I actually made alot of contacts through college that helped, (though perhaps not essential) in getting a job.

Recruitement generally starts March with seasonal contracts ending in October - a couple of people are then kept on if there is an operational requirement, depending on their performance over their temporary contract.

And like 750 says, even if it means working in ramp or check-in briefly - you've got your foot in the door.

a00205, sounds good to me m8!...it's looking likely this will be my route!
I have already checked, and although the Ground Handling company take on staff via the website...they also cherry pick people from the Course..without previous experience, it seems a good bet to me.

well you certainly have got absoloutely nothing to lose! I would say do it and I wish you all the best of luck. Enjoy and I hope you wont mind getting up at 0300 for work! :ok:

Thanks Speedbird...hey, I'm an Angler... 0300am is a lie in! :)

UKSquiff,

Another approach could be to contact the respective Training Manager at Swissport's and Servisair's Head Offices to seek their advice about courses/qualifications that they deem to be advantageous for working in their businesses.

Both addresses are available via their websites.

Good luck.
GH

Hi Groundhand.

What a damn fine Idea!..I shall indeed!...thanks m8...much appreciated!:ok: