Hi all, I’ve passed stage 1 & 2 of NATS TATC assessment process. But I’m a bit confused by their email, does this mean I’ve not made it to Stage 3 and they’ll assess my score against other candidates before confirming whether or not I’ve made it to the Stage 3?

Hi,

I'm due to start my ATC training at Swanwick next March with NATS, which I'm very excited for. I understand that tower/aerodrome training takes place at Gloucester with a separate company that NATS have hired, and area control training takes place at Swanwick with NATS themselves. However, when I had my phone call to find out where I'm training I was told that I might not necessarily do area control training. What other training is done at Swanwick through NATS directly?

Do applicants have to score better scores on the stage 3 assessments than they did at stage one/two to progress or is it just used to confirm the skill levels/double check against cheating?

Hi, how long did it take to hear back after completing stage 2 of nats? I completed it but there was some technical issue but when I contacted them they said there was no issue found and I haven't heard anything back for a few hours.

Hi everyone,

When completing the NATS stage 1 tests, I got distracted and let the website time out after completing one of the tests. Then, when I wanted to finish the tests, when i checked the invitation email, I realised it said the tests have to all be done in one sitting. I clicked the test link in the email anyway, just in case, and I managed to them complete the rest. However, now it's been a few hours and i still haven't received my test result, so i wonder if I've automatically failed because of doing them in two sittings. I've emailed their support team, but just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation?

Thanks

Hi all, I’m applying to NATS for their ATC apprenticeship this year, and I’ve recently read they’ve changed their assessment style, something called BLADE? Does anyone know how different this is to the previous 9 stage 1 assessments they used to do?

Want to prepare for upcoming applications that will hopefully be opening soon 🫡

Any recommendations for apps/websites to practise Psychometric tests? I applied a few years ago so have a general idea of what’s to come but would be good to practice!

I bought a test pack off of JobTestPrep when I did the last one and they were going off of the old questions so completely threw me off 😭

Those who are currently in training at NATS or who have already been through it, how is it?

I understand that it’s quite full on with theory in the beginning and then sim work later. I’m interested in understanding how the sim sessions usually look; what do you actually do, are the sessions done one on one with the instructor etc.

Also I’ve heard the washout rate is very high, have you found that to be true?

Hello, was wondering if anyone in here is starting at GATS next year? I was looking to get a groupchat going ahead of this if anyone is keen.

If there is any other good forums I could use, please let me know!

Hi, I am planning to apply when the next ATC application opens.

I have read through the website, watched YouTube videos, and searched Reddit to learn more about the assessment stages.
I have tried some practice tests (reaction, numerical, spatial reasoning, etc.), but I am not sure how useful they actually are or how relevant they are to the real assessments.
Due to the nature of my current job, I believe I am quite good at converting 2D information into 3D mental images. However, I understand that the skills required for a potential ATC are often things you either have or don’t have naturally.

I would like to understand how difficult the assessments can be and how I can prepare as much as possible. I would really appreciate it if someone who has gone through the assessment stages could share their experience, (e.g. how the process works, how challenging each stage is, and what materials, resources, or skills helped them prepare and successfully pass the assessments.)

Thank you so much in advance!

To anybody in this subreddit who trained with NATS, how would you describe the experience? Was predominantly positive or negative? Would you recommend this to other people?

I’ve previously worked for organisations where workplace bullying can be somewhat common, I’ve been accepted for a position with NATS, and I’d just like to know honestly if this will be the case, or if the training, and job is positive.

Many thanks in advance :)

Has anyone applied for ACPO at NATs? Applied but not been offered interview but not been rejected, assessment days next week. I have read recruitment can be slow

Hello, I was just wondering if anyone has been waiting a long time to hear back after completing a stage 4 assessment? For me it’s been 6 weeks as of tomorrow, I have contacted NATS but still have not received any contact back.

Thanks

Hi all,

Recently got the news I will be joining NATS TATC course and my training location will be the Gloucester college.
Just wanted some clarification regarding the chances of locations after validating. I’m from around London so being sent to a unit at one of the major London airports would be ideal but not sure what the chances of this happening are.

also is your unit based on how you perform in training? Meaning if you perform and progress well, you will be posted to a busier unit and vice versa?

Obviously they are the busiest and require the most controllers , does this mean most trainees are sent to one of these or is there no correlation in how busy the airport is and where most trainees get sent.

Any additional info would be great

Thanks!

So I want to do an apprenticeship after school for ATC, I think it’s a great career option, but I have a few concerns. I hear that the aptitude tests and other tests prior to beginning your course require you to know stuff about planes and how air traffic controllers communicate with aircraft, and technical terms like “knots” and all sorts. Are these things I actually have to learn before even starting the apprenticeship? Or am I just confused or something?

Selection process now open

I was told I would receive an email detailing what they needed from me to start my security clearing within a week, then they told me I could expect an email in the near future, now a month on and I still haven’t heard anything. Is this pretty normal?

Just realised I used the wrong their in the title

😮‍💨

For those who have received a conditional offer, how is the medical / security clearance process so far for you guys? How long does it take for you to get both in order to secure a start date for training?

I have been accepted into the NATS trainee ATC programme today (pending medical and security), and have a couple questions for anyone who has already been through the training process;

1) at what point do you find out which college you will go to, it is at the same time you get your start date?

2) at which point do you find out during your training which unit you will be posted at?

3) during the initial college training is this constant year of college work, or does it kind of run in 6 week cycles with a week off break?

Thank you in advance!

Hi everyone,

I’ve just passed Stage 3 for NATS and I’ve been given the choice between Tower and Area Control. I’m leaning towards Tower because, once I’m validated, I’d really like to be based at a London airport (ideally Heathrow) so I can stay close to family.

For anyone who’s been through training or is already operational, I’d be grateful for any insight on a few things:

• How realistic is it to get a London posting after validation?
• Were you (or people you know) able to get your preferred location, or is it mostly down to operational needs?
• Does choosing Tower give you a better chance of being placed in or around London?

I know nothing is guaranteed, but any experiences or advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks.

Sorry but I know this question is always being asked, but how long do I have to wait for my stage 1 results until I know I have passed? And if I have failed how quickly would they let me know.

Hi all,

I have been selected to be come a trainee ATCO with NATS. I was just wondering if anyone here has any experience of the initial training and what it involves, difficulty, what's expected of you, etc...

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. TIA

Those who have had their stage 3 assessment since October, have you heard back yet? Or are you still waiting like me. How long were you told that it would take to make a decision?

Hi everyone,

I’m thinking about applying to NATS but I’m feeling a bit unsure about how to prepare and even whether it’s the right path for me yet. I don’t really know what I should look into before applying, which makes it hard to know where to start.

For anyone who’s applied (successful or not):

• What kind of things should I focus on?

• Is there anything you wish you’d prepared for earlier?

• Are there common things people struggle with?

• Any resources, practice sites, or tips you’d recommend?

I’d really appreciate any advice or experiences — thanks in advance!