IAA Student Controller Program 2020

Mckclaudia

Just updating the thread! Email was sent out this morning regarding continuing the process (:

Speed_Alive

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118793287#Comment_118793287

Great to hear. Is it continuing where people left off? As in proceeding to group interview etc?

Staunton96

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118799741#Comment_118799741

Yes

CoisFharraige

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118793287#Comment_118793287

Hey. Have you gotten a date?

Tristan100

The next stage of the recruitment process is taking place currently.

I completed an online questionnaire two weeks ago and this week completed a virtual interview with a psychologist.

Tristan100

Final (face to face) interviews will take place in May for anyone lucky enough to make it that far. #FingersCrossed

FFVII

How many are they looking for or is it gonna be who you know and advertised cuz they had to...

AnRothar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118903941#Comment_118903941

Application process on going.

To express interest in future recruitment.

Go to IAA website.

https://www.iaa.ie

open careers tab.

Scroll down to Air Traffic Controller section.

Click on the link.

This opens another page which tells you that recruitment is currently suspended but has another link where you can register interest in possible future recruitment.

Shanee.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118903440#Comment_118903440

Sent you a DM

Mckclaudia

Anyone know when we will hear back about final phase?

Tristan100

Final phase of interviews happening 25th May-2nd June.

Solete16

Hi guys, does any know how many people usually are in each training course? Thank you!

Speed_Alive

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119023518#Comment_119023518

Normally somewhere from 10 - 16 people. Last couple intakes have been around 12/14 I believe.

Solete16

only? I thought it would be few more. So do you think they will only take that amount of people on the last interview?

Solete16

And do you guys know roughly how many will be in the last interview? Thank you!

Speed_Alive

From my knowledge, you are placed onto a selection panel after a successful final interview.

You are ranked 1 to however many on the panel, so if there are 16 places then the first ranked 16 are offered a place. If someone does not accept, doesn't pass a medical etc, then an offer will be made to the 17th person. I have heard of a panel of approx 35 people being made in previous years, in order to fill two intakes some months apart. In that instance, the first 15 in class one, then second 15 in class two, with some spares on standby. No idea if that is the case this time. There is currently one class nearing the end of training right now, with another due to start back in August.

I'm not sure how many make it to final interview, but taking a rough guess, it wouldn't be too far off the size of the intended panel and then maybe an extra 10 for standby. You've demonstrated cognitive abiility and ticked all the boxes so far up to this point, so your chances are very good if you get to final interview. I don't imagine they would want to interview say any more than double what they intend taking on, as it would waste time & resources, but I could be wrong. From what I know, I believe the interview is less pass/fail and more just used to rank your position on the panel, so that determines if you get an offer, depending on places available, and potentially where you might be stationed down the line. So if 35 people interview, and someone ranks 35, their chances are lower for a place, naturally.

For the interview itself, be calm, direct & succint, know the company and what they do, and have a general appreciation for what the role of an air traffic controller is, how serious the task is etc, and you will be fine. Be interested but not 'obsessed' with the industry. I have heard previously they want hard workers who can show evidence of problem solving and team work, as opposed to people who follow it as a hobby and just want to work in aviation because they like to look at airplanes. Get a good nights sleep prior and show up 15 minutes early, smartly & neatly dressed. Hope that helps and good luck all.

Solete16

Wowwww thank you sooo much for all your tips and explanations! I really appreciate it, truly thank you. Hope it all goes well , fingers crossed!!

Tristan100

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119039181#Comment_119039181

Thanks so much for all the tips.

Would you know in the interview is there technical questions on aircrafts and flight, ie Explain the Bernoulli's principle?

Or more competency based on one's experience?

Tristan100

Does anyone know is today the last day of interviews or are they on-going until Friday?

How long do they normally take to form the panel and let us know?

Any ideas how many people interviewed for how many places on the course?

MR80

From what I understand they would get back to us next week or the week after.

topcat44

The last day of interviews is tomorrow (Thursday) as per prior correspondence. Good luck to anyone scheduled.

My interview was last week. I was interviewed at exactly the same time as another candidate, so assuming 2 candidates per hour, 14 a day, 7 days of interviews, roughly 100 total. If they held interviews over the weekend then even more.

My interviewers were really friendly and welcoming, they put me at ease straight away. Fingers crossed!

Tristan100

Oh wow, didn't realise there would be that many interviewees.

I found a document from 2019 which said they planned to take on only 9 students in 2020, although this may have changed massively due to the events of the last two years.

https://www.iaa.ie/docs/default-source/misc/non-confidential-rp3-iaa-ansp-business-plan.pdf?sfvrsn=f42a00f3_2

My panel were very friendly also but I think I fluffed it, got so nervous, could barely think for the first ten minutes!

Fingers crossed anyway, and best of luck to everyone else still in the running.

AnRothar

There is an "updated plan" from July 2021.

Try searching using the

Service Delivery in 2020-21 

and Business Plan 2022-24

prepared by the Irish Aviation Authority’s Air Navigation Service 

Provider covering both En Route and Terminal Services 2020-2024

Beersmith

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119147251#Comment_119147251

No way there is that many per day. Max 8 candidates per day. The interviewer needs breaks/lunch. They need a little time to talk before and after a candidate also. I would say 6 to 8 and I don't think weekends.

So 8 times 7 days would be be a max of 58 but I would say its actually 45-50

Tristan100

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119152427#Comment_119152427

I guessed that maybe there was 3 panels before lunch and 3 after (2 at a time), so 12 candidates per day.

84 total.

According to the document above they planned on taking 9 students in 2020 and another 8 after that: So maybe they'll take both these out of the same panel.

So roughly 17 out of 84 will get a place (Probably not all in the same class) around 20%.

My guess! Obviously this is all speculation! I guess I'm trying to keep myself occupied while I wait for the PFO email :)

Beersmith

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119152943#Comment_119152943

Why are you guessing that though. I had an interview at 11.30, was waiting 10min near the room and no one came out from a previous interview. Interview took until 12.35. They would have to discuss and go for lunch.

Maximum they would have 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. So two panels equals a max 8 candidate per day. Maybe 6 as that might be too many per day as they probably only did one set in the afternoon id imagine.

No offence meant but you clearly don't know how interviews work, the interviewers need time pre and post interview.

It would also be ridiculous at this stage to interview so many.

Tristan100

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119152976#Comment_119152976

I guess I'd always rather overestimate than underestimate!

I also didn't see anyone going into an interview right before me or right after me (Just the person at the same time as me).

I hope you're right!

Beersmith

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119153118#Comment_119153118

Of course not, like I said they have to pre brief together on a candidate and post brief, not to mention piss breaks etc. You just cannot do back to back interviews like that.

I mean you don't have to overestimate at all. It doesn't make a difference what we say here but it can't be that many getting interviewed.

Tristan100

Anyone else mailbox-monitoring? ;)

AlfaTangoCharlie

Constantly 😩

MR80

Surely they want to conclude things quickly on their end as well, so I guess the wait won't be that long.

MR80

Just got the results in. The first training program will start on 2 August.

Beersmith

I just got an email of rejection

Tristan100

Delighted, I got an email saying I was placed on the panel :)

Tristan100

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119177678#Comment_119177678

Hi MR80, did you get asked to do a medical and get given this date?

I'm just asking as I didn't get this information, I was just told I'm on the panel. I guess this means I'm not selected for the first training program?

AlfaTangoCharlie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119177719#Comment_119177719

Me too! Can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Any idea when classes are due to start? In my interview they said they had 2 slots left for the August one, then the next one is early 2023 I believe. Anyone with more info?

Saz_ie

I have also been placed on the panel!

MR80

They told me that based on my place on the panel I will likely be included in the first programme. I will receive more information shortly.

Tristan100

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119177742#Comment_119177742

Ah, very well done! I was just told "future vacancies will be filled from the panel".

Congratulations to all who made it and so sorry to anyone who missed out :( I'd say they'll be running the program again soon.

AlfaTangoCharlie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119177742#Comment_119177742

Amazing! Do you mind my asking what place you received? I was told the same as Tristan100 in that “future vacancies will be filled from this panel,” and I’m just trying to work out roughly how long it may take.

Tristan100

I presume the 2 slots in August are to fill gaps in the SCP18 class that was cancelled and now restarting (2 people must have dropped out?)

AlfaTangoCharlie

“The changes to proposed training schedules are described in more detail from paragraph 3.44 below, cognisant of a maximum class size of 24 staff due to constraints on the availability of simulators, with an expected number of qualifying ATCOs of 18 (i.e. a pass rate of 75%).”

”Four training programmes (SCP17-SCP20) have been plotted out on a monthly basis over the period 2022-2024 ensuring that no two classes are run in parallel and that no more than 18 trainees are expected to graduate per class. Steer recognises that the 11 students on the SCP17 programmed were part way through their training when the course was suspended due to COVID and all 11 trainees are expected to resume training in 2022 in the model, based on information provided by the ANSP.”

From this I take that SCP 18 will be starting August 2022, and with an expected term of 9 months in Shanon, that’ll leave SCP 19 to start somewhere around May 2023, with 24 spaces offered? Then SCP 20 to start Feb 2024?

Information taken from:

Consultation Response Report v3_1 28Sep2021 (Non-Confidential - SENT)

AlfaTangoCharlie

I found this article online from Sept 2021

topcat44

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119177684#Comment_119177684

Me too - you are not alone!

tiern11

Placed on the panel in the mid 20s. Hopefully we won't be waiting too long for SCP20.

Tristan100

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119177960#Comment_119177960

Am I right in thinking that both SCP19 and SCP20 will be taken from our panel?

I'm <10 on the panel so hoping to be in the first group. May 2023 sounds so long away though :(

Mckclaudia

Hello everyone! Congratulations and commiserations to all receiving word today (: I’m just wondering if anyone has an inside scoop on finding accommodation in Shannon? Is there a “go to” location that students would usually rent in…anyone know?

MR80

Would love to know that as well actually

Solete16

Hi guys, I have created a Whatsapp group for al of us who passed the interview so is easier to talk about it regarding training and accommodation.

please feel free to join and congratulations to all:

https://chat.whatsapp.com/JJdZq9D9XMb5ryF5K2g6Dp

AnRothar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119180590#Comment_119180590

The local paper is the Clare Champion and it's out every Thursday. Otherwise try daft.ie.

There are a couple of estate agents in the town centre too.