Global ATS Apprenticeship Programme: One Year On

Partnering with Gloucestershire College, Global ATS successfully launched the UK's first Civilian Air Traffic Control apprenticeship scheme in July 2023. Following an ATCA to ATCO selection process, Pena Mason, from Birmingham Airport, became our first student, having worked in various supporting roles within the aviation industry.

Global ATS has been pursuing an Air Traffic Control apprenticeship scheme since 2005. However, support for the programme only materialised in 2015 following the formation of a trailblazer group consisting of Global ATS, NATS, the RAF, the Royal Navy, and CAA.

Global ATS initially applied to become the main training provider of the programme in August 2020, and the application was approved. However, progress in launching the programme was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions—appetite for the programme dropped in line with a wider fall in training demand across the industry. New rules surrounding apprenticeships then voided Global ATS' approvals as the primary programme provider, forcing the company to change tact.

As the aviation industry began to bounce back from the pandemic, Global ATS joined forces with Gloucestershire College to relaunch the apprenticeship programme in 2022. As one of the largest and most reputable apprenticeship training providers in the region, the college served as a support advisor. In July 2023, the programme's first student, Pena Mason, was selected.

Initial training saw Pena attend the Basic Training and Aerodrome courses at Global ATS, working towards completing relevant modules while independently recording off-job lessons and simulator sessions. Upon returning to her Unit at Birmingham Airport, Pena commenced Unit Training with relevant apprenticeship and Unit tasks regularly reviewed and agreed upon by Pena and her Unit Training Manager.

As with a first run of anything, we expected teething issues. Initially, there were concerns about extra curriculum related to the candidates' Maths and English proficiency, which would vary in workload depending on the candidate's educational background. However, we found that students could manage this extracurricular activity while prioritising their initial training.

We also held formal review meetings, which took place every 10/12 weeks and involved the candidate, the employer, Gloucestershire College, and Global ATS. A requirement for all apprenticeships, these formal review meetings were an opportunity for all parties to take stock of progress, identify and overcome any adversities, set targets for the next review, and assess whether targets from the previous review had been met.

Identifying and resolving apprenticeship requirements during the formal reviews is just one example of the collaboration and involvement of all stakeholders, which has augmented the success of this scheme and generated extremely positive feedback. All parties have successfully worked as a team in pursuit of the goal of leading a coherent journey for the apprentice.