ASA ATC Recruitment

[FoolCorsePich]

Any ideas on when ASA may start recruiting for trainee controllers again?

I've noticed they have applications open for experienced controllers which leads me to a second question. What is the expected return of service once they train you up? After how many years could you leave to pursue other ambitions and then hope to potentially regain your previous position?

Cheers

[catseye]

FCC, the major challenge recently is getting anyone to finish the course let alone recycle them!

[le Pingouin]

There's a five year bond & then there's this for the experienced controller: "Applicants must have been employed as an operational air traffic controller within the last three years OR been employed as an operational air traffic controller within the last five years AND been employed within an Air Traffic Control field such as instructing during that time."

[50 50]

Cat, care to elaborate on why people aren't finishing the course?

[Deaf]

They did put HR (Canberra style) as a priority as few years ago and achieved the (Canberra style) system
Maybe HR (Canberra style) didn't work to a real world standard - Have to change the real world standard to get the bonus.

[fujii]

50 50

People fail because it is a difficult, intense course. The age profile has a lot to do with it. In the 1970s when I did my course, I think the maximum age for the long term course was 25. For the short term course for those with a relevant background it was 35. My long term course had twenty on it and all passed.

Now days employers are not permitted to discriminate on age. Some courses have had trainees in their mid to high 40s. The pass rate for trainees in their 20s is around 80% whereas for those in their 40s it drops to 20% (roughly).

[The name is Porter]

After how many years could you leave to pursue other ambitions and then hope to potentially regain your previous position?

You'd better keep that bit to yourself, you won't be employed in the first place. ASA keep a blacklist, if they don't like you or you've done something they don't like, it doesn't matter how short staffed they are, you won't get back in.

You'll need 5 years experience before an overseas ANSP will look at you.

[FoolCorsePich]

Thanks for the replies. Up against someone from a non-aviaiton background is it much of an advantage to have a pilots license with a fair amount of experience operating in CTA?

[Plazbot]

For the initial basic stuff pilot experience will be useful. Phonetic alphabet, basic navigation, etc etc. Assuming it is still the same the major hurdles are Sep standards and the Enroute exams for theory and all the simulation. Pipit experience won't help you with any of that in the same way that an ATC license won't help you with a 777 type rating.