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- Tasks: Join our Operations Graduate Scheme and help manage Europe's busiest air traffic control centre.
- Company: NATS, the UK's leading Air Navigation Service Provider, shaping the future of aviation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 28 days holiday, pension scheme, and fully funded professional qualifications.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on UK airspace safety while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Minimum 2:2 degree and a passion for aviation and operational excellence.
- Other info: Experience diverse placements and gain insights from industry professionals.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 36000 £ per year.
Overview
Closing date – 26th October 2025
We\’re excited to be recruiting for 5 new graduates to join NERL Operations Division as part of our Early Careers programme, based at our Prestwick site (Ayrshire). These roles provide an opportunity to participate in the running of the busiest air traffic control centre in Europe, a critical part of the UK\’s national infrastructure. Do you like a challenge? Can you demonstrate excellence in what you do? If so, read on and apply?
Who are NATS?
NATS is the UK\’s leading Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP). Every year we handle 2.6 million flights and keep 250 million passengers safe whilst in UK airspace. We provide air traffic management (ATM) services in UK airspace and into the North Atlantic through 2 air traffic control centres and 13 airports in the UK, as well as providing these services around the world spanning Europe, Middle East, Asia and North America. We\’re shaping the future of ATM through our focus on \’advancing aviation and keeping the skies safe\’ and believe that the opportunities and diversity of our business make us an exciting choice for undergraduates considering their future careers.
What will the graduate scheme involve?
As a graduate within NERL Operations, you will be one of c1,750 employees across a variety of professions and disciplines. You\\\’ll be working at the heart of our organisation, alongside other graduates, undergraduates and professionals. You\\\’ll gain valuable insight and make a tangible contribution to our success. Your placement will be supported by a central development programme. We\\\’re an agile working organisation enabling, in line with the business need, the opportunity and flexibility to work in our modern offices as well from home. NERL Operations\\\’ division comprises several teams that work together to deliver a broad range of business, air traffic management & safety services. If successful, you\\\’ll experience these different areas through a programme of placements, offering the flexibility to learn, grow and develop in line with business needs and personal aspirations.
The teams are:
- Operations Safety
- Operations Control
- Swanwick & Prestwick Service Delivery
- Operations Planning & performance
- Operations Training
- Airport Operations
Providing you with a programme of placements will allow you to develop your business knowledge, skillset and overall understanding of NERL Operations. You\\\’ll be working alongside highly skilled professionals and will get to experience the technologies that underpin the services we provide to airlines and our customers.
During your 3 eight-month rotations you will be continually assessed against NATS behaviours and performance expectations and will be expected to deliver end of rotation presentations based on set objectives. You can expect to be offered opportunities to undertake Leadership apprenticeships alongside NATS initiatives.
At the end of the graduate scheme, an assessment interview will determine your readiness for a permanent role at NATS, offering a platform for a rewarding career.
Why choose NATS?
You\’ll have the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the daily operation of a key part of the UK\’s national infrastructure. You\’ll be working at the heart of our organisation, alongside other graduates, undergraduate students and professionals. You\’ll gain valuable insight into our business, an acknowledged leader in the aviation industry and make a tangible contribution to our success. Your experience at NATS will be unique to you, so you can build on knowledge you have gained at university. We are committed to your personal and professional development and will help you achieve your goals.
What are we looking for?
We\’re looking for driven, proactive and committed individuals who will embrace the challenging targets that we\’ve set ourselves over the next few years. We\’ll be leading the way technically, operationally, commercially, and politically, and you can help us shape the future. You\’ll need to have achieved a minimum of 2:2 at degree level and be able to demonstrate interest in your field of expertise outside of your studies. Although not exhaustive, the following list provides a guide to the sorts of skills and experience relevant to the roles that we are seeking to fill:
- Analytical thinking using qualitative and quantitative methods, e.g. operational analysis, workforce planning, planned and dynamic optimisation of the air traffic network.
- Application of critical thinking to provide insight into operational and business performance, and through effective engagement with internal and external stakeholders deliver quantifiable improvement in performance.
- A wide variety of leadership, management and business skills, including customer management, business management and reporting, stakeholder management, managing Trade Union relationships.
- The management of change, including people-based change management, project management, benefit delivery, requirement analysis, process design.
- Use of various techniques as an enabler for efficiency and improvement, including various improvement methodologies and the use of new technologies.
As well as developed technical skills you will also need to have great interpersonal skills and the personal resilience to deal with a constantly changing environment with confidence. We need people that are great at engaging and influencing others, with exemplary communication and problem-solving skills and a tenacity to deliver within demanding timescales. Applicants must pass NATS pre-employment security clearance checks.
If you\\\’ve applied and have met the minimum requirements for our scheme, you will be invited to complete a variety of online tests. If you are successful in passing this stage, you may have the opportunity to attend one of our virtual assessment centres!
Assessment centres slots will be available to book onto between the 12th – 14th November. They will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams.
What\\\’s in it for you?
- Competitive salary – £31,000 per annum
- 28 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
- Market-leading defined contribution pension scheme
- Opportunity to study for a fully funded professional qualification
Please note that NATS reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. If you are interested, please submit your application as soon as possible.
Diversity and Inclusion at NATS:
We celebrate the diversity of our colleagues. We thrive because we are all brilliantly different yet united in our passion to advance aviation and keep the skies safe. For more information on our commitment to diversity and inclusion, please visit: https://www.nats.aero/careers/why-nats/
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.
We want you to be able to perform at your best, so please email if you\\\’d like to discuss any reasonable adjustments.
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Operations Graduate Scheme employer: NATS
Contact Detail:
NATS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Graduate Scheme
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at NATS on LinkedIn or through your university connections. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the assessment centre. It’s all about making those connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those online tests! Brush up on your analytical and critical thinking skills, as these will be key in showcasing your abilities. Use practice tests and resources to get comfortable with the format.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for aviation! During interviews and assessments, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or experiences that demonstrate your interest in air traffic management and safety. Let your enthusiasm shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the latest updates and resources to help you along the way.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Graduate Scheme
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Graduate Scheme. Highlight relevant experiences and skills that align with what NATS is looking for, like analytical thinking and leadership abilities. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for aviation and how your background makes you a great fit for the role. Be genuine and let us know why you’re excited about joining NATS.
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, don’t just list your skills—show us how you've used them in real-life situations. Whether it's through projects, internships, or extracurricular activities, we want to see your problem-solving and communication skills in action!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the application process there!
How to prepare for a job interview at NATS
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into NATS and its operations. Understand their role in air traffic management and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their mission of keeping the skies safe. This shows genuine interest and preparation.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Since the role requires strong analytical thinking, prepare examples from your studies or previous experiences where you used qualitative and quantitative methods to solve problems. Be specific about the outcomes and how they relate to operational performance.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
NATS values collaboration, so be ready to share experiences where you worked effectively in a team. Highlight your interpersonal skills and how you’ve engaged with others to achieve common goals, especially in challenging situations.
✨Prepare for Change Management Questions
Expect questions around managing change and project management. Think of instances where you successfully navigated change, whether in group projects or internships, and be prepared to discuss the strategies you employed to ensure smooth transitions.