At a Glance
- 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.
- Other info: Experience diverse placements and gain insights from industry professionals.
- 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.
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.
Operations Graduate Scheme in Prestwick employer: NATS
NATS is an exceptional employer, offering graduates the chance to work at the forefront of air traffic management in Europe, specifically at our Prestwick site. With a commitment to personal and professional development, competitive salaries, and a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion, employees can thrive in a dynamic environment while contributing to the safety of millions of passengers. The Operations Graduate Scheme provides unique opportunities for growth through hands-on experience and leadership training, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a meaningful career in aviation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Graduate Scheme in Prestwick
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with NATS for a Operations Graduate Scheme. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Graduate Scheme in Prestwick
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at NATS, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At NATS, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at NATS
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with NATS.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with NATS. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like NATS love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
