Your career cleared for take-off...

At NATS we have plenty to offer and all of our roles are designed with you in mind.  Whether you are looking for a placement year when at University, a Graduate Scheme to join after completing your degree, or an Apprenticeship to kick-start your career journey in a new direction, we have plenty on offer.

We are committed to ongoing training and development and provide a multitude of employee benefits, opportunities for professional qualifications and a friendly working environment so you can advance your career whilst shaping the future of aviation.

We are proud of the recognition our career schemes have received and aim to continue to deliver award winning experiences for our people. So if you are interested in discovering your potential on a supportive and rewarding scheme, why not join us?

National Graduate Recruitment Award Winner 2024Top 100 Undergraduate placement winnerTop 100 Apprenticeship scheme winner

Women of NATS

Recently we spoke to a panel of NATS employees about their experiences as women in STEM, their journeys into our business and what their fascinating roles entail day-to-day.


Watch on YouTube

Early Careers 22

Early Careers 22 - our Virtual Exhibition for students and graduates - is now open.  Explore the exhibition to learn more about our business, meet some of our people and better understand the opportunities that may suit you.

Go to the exhibition

Your career cleared for take-off

At NATS we have a wide range of opportunities available within our Early Careers scheme. Check out our video where Helen Fuge, Head of Talent and HR Services, and some of our Early Careers colleagues, share more on what our schemes involve!

Schemes for different career stages

Graduate Scheme

This opportunity is open to applicants who have completed their degree. The two-year programme provides a clear route for progression and development. You can extend the knowledge you’ve gained whilst studying, while at the same time having the opportunity to put the theory into practice alongside experienced colleagues.

  • Minimum entry requirement: Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2)
  • Duration: 24 months.
  • Salary: £31,000 per annum + £1,000 welcome bonus
Huz – Engineering Graduate

Graduate programme areas

We’re offering Graduate Schemes in the following programme areas:

Safety & Cyber

Safety is at the heart of what we do and who we are – every one of us has a part to play in ensuring our operational, physical, cyber and personal safety every day.

We have a variety of functions to ensure we are safe in everything we do; whether that be setting safety strategy, monitoring safety performance, ensuring our health, safety and wellbeing practices are first class, or protecting our business from physical and cyber security threats.

Current opportunities:

People & Transformation

Our business is undergoing a significant and exciting period of technological change and our people are critical to the delivery of this transformation.

Whether it be ensuring our people practices and processes enable the delivery of our vision and support colleagues in achieving their full potential or examining human behaviour to optimise safety, performance and reliability, we have a variety of exciting opportunities to learn new skills in this area.

Current opportunities:

Finance & Analytics

Our organisation requires careful financial management; balancing business needs, commercial vision and operational requirements enabled by data-driven decision making, to support delivery of our future ambitions.

Our Finance and Analytics roles will provide good insight into the processes and practices underpinning an effective and sustainable business.

Current opportunities:

Engineering & Technology

Our Engineering and Technology areas are where the future of Air Traffic Management solutions come to life – and where we bring new ideas and improvements to existing technologies.

These are delivered through a variety of programmes, covering a spectrum of activity from research and development through to transition and deployment.

Current opportunities:

Meet our graduates

Meet Jack Graduate Scheme

Having worked at NATS as an undergraduate placement student, I was incredibly happy to be offered a graduate role in the Supply Chain department.  In fact, I was so keen to come back to NATS that I think I said yes before my manager had even finished asking me! 

Meet Jack

Meet Zoe Graduate Scheme

After studying Tourism and Airline Management at university I joined the NATS Graduate Scheme which involved placements in four fascinating areas of the business. Now I’m seconded to the Airspace Change Organising Group (ACOG) as an Analyst, looking at upcoming changes in the UK.
Meet Zoe

Meet Huzayfaa Graduate Scheme

Following a really interesting industrial placement year, I embarked on NATS’ Graduate Scheme. Now I work in the Voice Communications team focused on deploying a new system into the operation. The schemes gave me an excellent understanding of the key technologies involved.
Meet Huz

Undergraduate placement

This one-year opportunity is designed for students in their second year at university who are looking for a sandwich year option.

Studying on an undergraduate placement you’ll find you’re right at the heart of our organisation, working alongside our graduates and other business professionals, and as a result, you’ll gain a great insight into our organisation and market place.

  • Duration: 12 months
  • Salary: £21,300 per annum + relocation expenses (Subject to requirements)
Ruchini – Undergraduate

Undergraduate programme areas

We’re offering undergraduate placements in the following programme areas:

Safety & Cyber

Safety is at the heart of what we do and who we are – every one of us has a part to play in ensuring our operational, physical, cyber and personal safety every day.

We have a variety of functions to ensure we are safe in everything we do; whether that be setting safety strategy, monitoring safety performance, ensuring our health, safety and wellbeing practices are first class, or protecting our business from physical and cyber security threats.

Current opportunities:

People & Transformation

Our business is undergoing a significant and exciting period of technological change and our people are critical to the delivery of this transformation.

Whether it be ensuring our people practices and processes enable the delivery of our vision and support colleagues in achieving their full potential or examining human behaviour to optimise safety, performance and reliability, we have a variety of exciting opportunities to learn new skills in this area.

Current opportunities:

Finance & Analytics

Our organisation requires careful financial management; balancing business needs, commercial vision and operational requirements enabled by data-driven decision making, to support delivery of our future ambitions.

Our Finance and Analytics roles will provide good insight into the processes and practices underpinning an effective and sustainable business.

Current opportunities:

Engineering & Technology

Our Engineering and Technology areas are where the future of Air Traffic Management solutions come to life – and where we bring new ideas and improvements to existing technologies.

These are delivered through a variety of programmes, covering a spectrum of activity from research and development through to transition and deployment.

Current opportunities:

Meet our undergraduates

Hear from undergraduates and managers talk about the placement scheme.

Meet LydiaUndergraduate placement

Studying Mathematics can often be highly theory based and sometimes lacking real life context, so when searching for a university placement, I was looking for a role that used the skills I had gained throughout my education within an interesting context. 

Meet Lydia

Meet Ryan Undergraduate placement

I’ve always had an interest in pursuing a career in the aviation industry, and having spoken to past placement students about how beneficial the Early Careers Scheme is at NATS, it was a no brainer for me to apply.  

Meet Ryan

Apprenticeships

Our Apprenticeship opportunities are perfect for those who are looking to earn money as they gain new qualifications.

Apprenticeships are open to everyone and span the breadth of our business. We look for candidates from a range of backgrounds with varying qualifications.

Please note, the level and nature of apprenticeships we offer will vary each year depending on the business' requirements.

  • Duration: Varies dependent on specific apprenticeship
  • Salary: Advanced - £17,000, Higher - £21,300
Rachel – Leadership apprentice

Apprentice programme areas

We’re offering Apprenticeships in the following programme areas:

Safety & Cyber

Safety is at the heart of what we do and who we are – every one of us has a part to play in ensuring our operational, physical, cyber and personal safety every day.

We have a variety of functions to ensure we are safe in everything we do; whether that be setting safety strategy, monitoring safety performance, ensuring our health, safety and wellbeing practices are first class, or protecting our business from physical and cyber security threats.

Check back soon!

We have now concluded recruitment for our 2025 Early Careers Scheme. Recruitment for our 2026 cohort will commence in Autumn 2025, please check back then for updates!

People & Transformation

Our business is undergoing a significant and exciting period of technological change and our people are critical to the delivery of this transformation.

Whether it be ensuring our people practices and processes enable the delivery of our vision and support colleagues in achieving their full potential or examining human behaviour to optimise safety, performance and reliability, we have a variety of exciting opportunities to learn new skills in this area.

Check back soon!

We have now concluded recruitment for our 2025 Early Careers Scheme. Recruitment for our 2026 cohort will commence in Autumn 2025, please check back then for updates!

Finance & Analytics

Our organisation requires careful financial management; balancing business needs, commercial vision and operational requirements enabled by data-driven decision making, to support delivery of our future ambitions.

Our Finance and Analytics roles will provide good insight into the processes and practices underpinning an effective and sustainable business.

Check back soon!

We have now concluded recruitment for our 2025 Early Careers Scheme. Recruitment for our 2026 cohort will commence in Autumn 2025, please check back then for updates!

Engineering & Technology

Our Engineering and Technology areas are where the future of Air Traffic Management solutions come to life – and where we bring new ideas and improvements to existing technologies.

These are delivered through a variety of programmes, covering a spectrum of activity from research and development through to transition and deployment.

Check back soon!

Recruitment for our 2025 cohort will commence in January 2025, please check back then for updates!

Meet our apprentices

Hear from Apprentices and Engineering technicians talk about working at NATS.

Meet Christine Risk and Safety Leadership apprentice

I’m currently studying a Masters in Risk and Safety Leadership as part of my apprenticeship with NATS, working within the Regulatory Compliance team. My time at NATS has given me lots of opportunities to delve into several different projects, including drone legislation!

Meet Christine

Meet Ben Project Management apprentice

As much as Uni looked like a laugh, I was a bit tired of being sat in a classroom and wanted to get my foot into full-time employment, plus getting paid to gain the same qualifications is always a bonus!

Meet Ben

Meet Katie Engineering Technician apprentice

I applied to NATS because I knew I didn’t want to go to university. Instead, I applied to three different companies for engineering apprentice roles and after receiving offers from two, I ultimately decided that NATS was the best option for me.  

Meet Katie

Meet Rachel Risk and Safety Leadership apprentice

My time working here has been fantastic and I've been particularly impressed with how supportive and helpful NATS people are.  It has made my transition from leaving the military a seamless and positive experience.

Meet Rachel

Recent NATS Apprentices

What we're looking for

We are looking for individuals who share our purpose to advance aviation and keep the skies safe.   We provide answers to the critical issues faced by the aviation industry around the world – such as cost-efficiency, environment and data use – and have built our reputation on delivering a first rate, safe and efficient service. 

In order to deliver these services we need a wide variety of people with different skills and backgrounds, whether you are working in our operational, technical, programme or corporate areas.

Do you have the drive, curiosity, and willingness to learn? Can you help us solve problems and create innovative solutions that keep NATS at the forefront of the aviation industry?  Do you want to gain insight into the critical processes and practices underpinning an effective business?   

In return, we offer top of the range training and development, opportunities for professional qualifications, advanced technologies, a multitude of employee benefits and a friendly, modern working environment; so you can advance your career whilst shaping the future of the aviation industry.

Location

Most of our early careers positions (Apprenticeships, Industrial Placements and Graduate Schemes) are based in our Corporate Headquarters at Whiteley in Hampshire. 

Our offices at Whiteley house around 1,000 employees working primarily across engineering, training, safety and corporate specialisms. Whilst we are located on a modern business park, Whiteley itself is a residential area with an excellent shopping area, cinema and leisure facilities. Positioned halfway between Portsmouth and Southampton, it also provides easy access to both beautiful open countryside and city-based facilities.

What’s in it for you?

The application process

  • 1

    Register & apply online

    Upload your CV via the job advert (CVs should not be sent via email).

    Complete the application form. You’ll be asked some questions about you, your experience and why you want to join NATS. You’ll also need to confirm your Right to Work in the UK.

    We want you to be able to perform at your best, so please email [email protected] if you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments.

  • 2

    Online assessment

    Providing you are eligible to work in the UK you will be invited to an online assessment which will give us insight into your skills and capabilities in certain areas. You will have seven days to complete the tests.

  • 3

    Assessment Centre

    Upon successful completion of the online assessment, your application will be reviewed by our hiring team.

    We will let you know if you've been selected to attend a virtual Assessment Centre. Assessment centres typically comprise of an interview and/or a group exercise.

    If you are not selected on this occasion, we will let you know by email.

  • 4

    Offer

    We’ll be in touch with you after your Assessment Centre to let you know if you have been successful in securing a place on one of our programmes.

    You’ll receive a conditional offer of employment and once you’ve passed the relevant medical and security clearances, we’ll be pleased to confirm the offer formally. 

    Assessment Centre feedback is available upon request, regardless of whether you are successful or not - please email [email protected].

    If you aren’t successful, please keep an eye on our vacancies page for future opportunities both within our Student and Graduate schemes and the wider NATS business.

Recent early career scheme participants

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