Engineering Operations Training Lead in Prestwick

NATS is the UK’s leading air navigation service provider, handling over 2.4 million flights each year. We provide air traffic control services from two control centres and at airports around the UK. We also provide a wide range of commercial products and solutions internationally. Our people are at the heart of our purpose to advance aviation and keep the skies safe.

Closing Date: Sunday 25th October 2026

Purpose of the Job:

• Toensurecompetency requirementsofthe Service Management Command Centre (SMCC)forall new or existing assetsareproactively managed,accuratelyrecordedandachieved asefficiently as possible.
• As lead On-the-Job-Training Instructor (OJTI)provideguidance,support, and skills developmenttoSMCCOJTIs. Introduceprocess andstandardsthat reflect industry best practice anddrive consistencyofOn-the-Job Training (OJT)in the SMCC.
• Tosupportthecontinuous improvement ofOJTdeliveryand consumptionacrosstheSMCCthrough theadoption of modern delivery practices,working with the Technical Learning Team on the idea generation,creation and implementation ofnew learningtoolsand materialsthat willimprovethelearnerexperience, optimise learning pathways, aid the effectiveness of OJTandenhancingtime to competency.In addition, to plan and coordinate formal training requirements, including the scheduling and management of Technical Training Services (TTS) booked courses, ensuring alignment with operational priorities and competency pathways.
• To providesupport to all SMCC learners, fostering engagement, building capability, and driveperformance through coaching, feedback and support.

Principal Accountabilities:

• LeadOJT activity:Lead the planning/resourcing,delivery and coordination ofallOJTactivityfor relevant SMCC area,and ensure it is prioritised,and isalignedwithregulatory requirements and coursedeliverydatesbyTechnical Training Servicesas well asbusiness requirements.
• DriveOJTIEffectiveness:Lead, motivate and develop OJT skills across the SMCC to ensure learners have a consistent experience, whilstdrivingOJT delivery standardsacrossallwatches.
• Drive Efficiencyand Co-ordination:Plan and Coordinate Formal (TTS) Training: Own the forward plan for formal training across the SMCC area, including identification of requirements, liaison with Technical Training Services (TTS), booking/scheduling of TTS courses, coordination of learner attendance, and proactive management of clashes, prerequisites and course readiness. Ensure outcomes are recorded and communicated to relevant stakeholders.
• Performance Reporting:Accountablefor the accuraterecording of all training& competency activity (Tracer management) across the SMCCto enable data analysis andthereportingor Learner MI and progress againstKey Performance Indicators (KPIs).Responsible for the monthlyanalysis of alllearning data/reports demonstrating performance against key learning KPIs, and any corrective action.
• Document Management:Provide guidance to the Technical Learning and Asset Design teams for the creation of objectives used for on-the-job-training and technical skills assessments, asreflected in the training design document, to ensure these are relevant to the operation and accurate.
• Line Management:Responsible fortheline management of theteam of apprentices. Manage, motivate and develop team members, undertake performance appraisals, and be a focal point for all staff related issues.
• Safety Culture:Be an advocate for Safety Culture, promoting and advancing best practice, challenging poor behaviours, and ensuring personal health & safety (H&S) by adhering to H&S and safety procedures.
• Stakeholder Engagement:Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure training compliance with regulations and operational needs.
• Learning Tool/MaterialDevelopment:Supportthe Technical Learning team as SME withtheideation,design, developmentofinnovativeOJT toolstoenhance the effectiveness of OJT delivery.Leveraging operational experience and subject-matter expertiseof the SMCC environment.Supportthe implementationand adoptionof suchtools/materials.
• SMCCOperationalExpertise and Knowledge:Gain and maintainallrelevantSMCCcompetencies asrequiredfor the relevant site/area.This role is a regular office‑hours position and does not form part of any rosterorshift pattern.
• ChangeManagement:Within the scope oftrainingpromote a culture ofcontinuous improvement andopenness to changeacross the SMCC. Using learningdata/ManagementInformationtopro-activelydrive decisionsand improvementinitiatives.
• ChampionTechnicalLearning: Be an advocateand brand ambassadorfortechnical learning,people developmentand OJTI capabilityacrosstheSMCCdemonstratingstrong interpersonal, influencing andleadership skills,representing both operations andtechnical learning.
• Learning Delivery: As required deliver formal training and OJT in line with business needs.

Autonomy:

• Responsible fortheplanning, delivery, recording (Tracer)and coordination ofallOJT engineering learning activitiesfor SMCC EngineersandApprenticesinarea., and the planning/coordination of associated formal training requirements (including TTS booked courses) to support end-to-end competency pathways.
• Drivescontinuous improvement in relation to(OJT)standardsandconsistency
• Produceslearner/learningprogress reports/MIat regular intervals, analysesthe dataandappliestheirjudgement, experience and expertise toresolve anyidentifiedproblems / bottlenecksin support of theoptimisation ofthe learningjourney.
• Engages withrelevantcustomers andstakeholders, such as Technical Learningto ensure successful training outcomes and improved standards.
• Fosterscollaborationwith peers andthrough knowledge sharing and consultation.

Job Scope:

• Collaborateswith customersand stakeholderstoidentify OJT needs for the SMCCto ensuretheachievement ofcompetency requirementsforallnew/existing assetsareefficientlyaddressedand meet agreed objectives.
• Reporting on agreed learning KPIs and learner progress
• Supportthe Technical Learning Teamas SME with thecreation of new and improved (OJT)learning toolsand materialsin response to customer needs
• Deliverformal training, asSME, inline with business needs.
• Gain, hold and maintain required competencies.Role holder will manage this independently and might be required toundertakesome operational shiftsto maintain recency(up to 10% of working time, for whichspecificUHP payments would applyas this role does not qualify for full UHP)

Experience, Qualification & Skills:

• Qualifications(Engineering): Professional engineering qualification to Higher National Certificate (Level 4 or SQF Level 7) as a minimum Electronics, Telecommunications or Computer Science or other relevant Engineering discipline.

In lieu of the above qualifications the candidate will be required to demonstrate one of the following alternative criteria:

• Relevant lower-level engineering qualifications such as an Apprenticeship coupled with demonstrable engineering experience in a relevant field (May include but not limited to: Military, Rail, other Safety Critical environment)
• Evidence of substantial experience gained in a relevant transferable environment (such as ATSEP) gained over a significant period
• Experience of resolution of incidents, service restoration, incident and problem management of systems and equipment in a Safety Critical environment such as but not limited to Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), Military or Rail.
• Qualifications (L&D):A Training or Instructional Qualification is desirable but not essential as relevant training will be provided.
• OperationalUnderstanding:Shall demonstrate an understanding of safety critical systems and the impact they may have within our operational environment.
• Leadership Skills: Strong and effective leadership skills with the proven ability to manage a team effectively and provide appropriatechallengeand support.
• Communication Skills: This role requires effective communications skills, written and oral, commensurate with a range of stakeholders, being able to present information tolearners,management, peers, customers and suppliers at the appropriate level.
• Decision Making Skills: Ability to make sound and effective decisions and to negotiate and motivate is essential, ensuring outcomes are clearly communicated.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to work calmly, systematically, and analytically when working in a safety-related context.
• Teamwork: Proven ability to work in teams, take responsibility, delegate, plan, and schedule activities efficiently.
• Continuous Improvement:Keen focus oncontinuousimprovement,and the ability to implement change effectively.

Additional Information:

Holding existing competencies or understanding relevant to SMCC operational activities would be advantageous but is not essential. If Training and competency acquisition is required, support will be provided to the successful candidate.

We are proud to offer a fantastic total reward package to help you thrive both personally and professionally - for more information on what NATS can offer you please visit - Why NATS? - NATS '

All staff at NATS are subject to UK Security Vetting and Clearance (SC) and must maintain valid clearance throughout employment. We are unable to progress applications where an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements for clearance.

If you share our passion to advance aviation and keep the skies safe – we would like to hear from you whatever your age, sex, race, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, visible or invisible disability. Individuals that bring different perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds help us be at the forefront of our industry.

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