A career like no other

24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year, our Air Traffic Controllers are the foundation of the aviation network and come from all walks of life.

Our Level 5 Apprenticeship Trainee Air Traffic Controller course requires no prior aviation experience and involves 1-2 years of training at one of our initial training organisations to embark on your journey towards gaining a Student Air Traffic Control licence.

After you achieve your Student Air Traffic Control licence, you’ll move to an operational unit to build real-world experience and continue training through to validation and your full Air Traffic Controller licence.

There’s no one thing that creates the perfect controller, but with the ambition, dedication and commitment to your training, an amazing career awaits!

What do Air Traffic Controllers do?

Our Air Traffic Controllers are a team of almost 1,800 highly trained individuals that work with pilots to help keep aircraft flying, passengers travelling, cargo moving and the skies above us safe.

There are three different types of Controllers: Aerodrome (Tower), Area and Approach. Each of these are based in different locations and require different skill sets and responsibilities based on their roles.

Hear from our Controllers and Trainees as they talk about;

  • the training programme,
  • career opportunities,
  • work-life balance,
  • and the enjoyment that comes from being an Air Traffic Controller.

Eligibility and application process

The path to becoming a Controller is not a quick and easy one. It takes time and commitment but the rewards at the end make it all worth while. 

An overview of the steps you need to follow to qualify is laid out below.

  • Eligibility

    You will be commencing training in a safety critical role and as such must meet our eligibility requirements. If you don’t we will reject your application from the outset.

    You must:

    • Be aged 18+ at the time of applying.
    • Have indefinite, unrestricted right to work in the UK. We are unable to consider candidates whose right to work is time-limited, subject to visa conditions or sponsorship. If you’re unsure, check the Home Office guidance.
    • Possess 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or Scottish National 5’s Grade A-C including English and Maths. Equivalent qualifications are accepted.
    • Adhere to the NATS drug & alcohol policy from the point of signing your contract.

    Be 100% honest with all your answers, failure to declare something important may impact your clearance.

  • Assessment

    Stage 1
    Having successfully registered and been approved, you’ll be invited to sit eleven online ability tests. These are designed to assess skills such as spatial awareness, logical thinking, numerical ability, sense of direction and reaction speed.

    Please note: Candidates have 14 days to complete these assessments.

    Stage 2
    If you pass the stage 1 assessments, you’ll be invited to an online Situational Judgement Test and an online Listening Comprehension test.

    Please note: Candidates have 14 days to complete these assessments.

    Consent note – Assessments at Stage 1 and 2

    Your assessments will be virtually proctored to validate test-taker identity. Where you provide your consent, the camera on your device will be activated to take regular photos throughout the course of the assessment to check that the face in every photo is the same.

    Your device’s microphone is also accessed to detect the presence and duration of audio, possibly indicative of a conversation. Therefore, we advise you undertake your assessments in clear, direct view of your device’s camera, avoid covering your face with objects (e.g. hands or clothing), and limit detectable noise (e.g. speaking out loud).

    Stage 3
    If you pass the stage 2 assessments and meet the minimum requirements, you'll be invited to attend an assessment centre. This is held virtually (via Microsoft Teams). You will take part in an interview and an Air Traffic Control knowledge test, as well as a retest of the previous tests whilst being observed.

    Stage 3 assessment centres will take place from September 2026 onwards.

    Stage 4
    If you pass the stage 3 assessments, you will be invited to take part in a practical exercise. This is held either virtually (via Microsoft Teams) or Face to Face at our Whiteley office.

    Stage 4 assessment centres will take place from December 2026 onwards.

    If you don't pass one of these stages, you will be notified by email and you will be unable to reapply until the next recruitment campaign.

  • Onboarding

    If you pass the stage 4 assessment centre, you will be made a conditional offer of employment (subject to achieving relevant security and medical clearances).

    Once you have achieved your Class 3 medical clearance, we will assign you to the next available start date which will be from late 2027.

    The security clearance process will begin approximately 9 months in advance of your start date.

    Keep an eye on your inbox as we’ll be regularly keeping in touch ahead of your first day.

Training at our Prestwick Centre

Life in the College

Your journey starts in one of our training centres. We have centres in both Whiteley and Gloucestershire that are set up specifically to teach the skills needed to obtain a student air traffic controller license. During your time in the college, you’ll be part of a cohort of other Trainee Air Traffic Controllers, working alongside each other as you learn and develop your skills throughout the course.

It’s important to remember that although you’ll be training in the college, you will be embarking on a professional, paid position of employment, and that your behaviour can impact others, intentionally or unintentionally. We expect you to conduct yourself appropriately during your time in the college and during the path of your career.

Most college-based training is completed within a year to eighteen months, however the length of college-based training varies depending on a host of factors, including the specialism you take and how quickly you can complete different phases.

This training includes both theory-based sessions and practical training in our onsite Air Traffic Control Simulators. Your knowledge and experience is assessed regularly throughout the course, which contributes towards your eventual validation as a student air traffic controller.

Once you have gained your Student Air Traffic Control licence, you will be posted to an operational unit. Here, your hands-on training continues until you validate and are issued your full Air Traffic Controller licence, ready to play your critical part in advancing aviation and keeping the skies safe!

Working locations

Salary and benefits

As well as receiving a salary when training you're entitled to an industry leading benefits package.

As a Trainee Air Traffic Controller Apprentice, you'll start with a package of £34,611.60* per year, which comprises of the basic salary  of £25,500* and an annual accommodation allowance equivalent to £9,111.60*, paid monthly throughout your basic training. You will also receive a £1000 ‘Welcome Bonus’, paid in your first months’ salary and a £500 ‘Post College training transition bonus’, paid when you finish College training.

After completing your basic training (length differs per individual but approximately 12-15 months) and starting your unit based training your salary will rise to between approximately £37,490 - £42,786* (inclusive of shift allowance, dependant on location). Once you have successfully completed your training, your salary will increase to between £50,468- £56,247* depending on the unit you are posted to.

You'll also enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including a market-leading contributory pension scheme, 28 days of annual leave plus public holidays, and a variety of voluntary benefits to suit your needs. Additional perks include access to numerous social networks and social clubs, as well as a peer support network throughout the business to support you along the way. With a strong focus on family-friendly policies and employee well-being, a career at NATS offers excellent opportunities for both personal and professional development. More detailed information on benefits will be provided when you join us.

*At 2026 rates.

More about benefits

FAQs

We receive a lot of questions related to the application, assessment and training process for becoming an Air Traffic Controller. We've tried to address those that most commonly come up below. If they don't answer your question, you can contact us.

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