My Experience as an Engineering Apprentice at NATS

Since the end of primary school, I was pretty much set on a future in aviation. Initially, I wanted to become an Air Traffic Controller having watched a significant amount of a TV show about operations at Heathrow. Following in the footsteps of three generations of my family, I then pursued a pathway towards engineering, focussing on aircraft and systems but specialising in electrical and electronic.

Growing up in Scotland, I had also been aware of the reputation NATS has as one of the industry leaders in aviation, especially when it comes to the work they do up here in Prestwick, and it being one of the best places to start your career. I felt that going with NATS would give me a good blend of working in the aviation industry and my passion for electrical systems and electronics.

I would say that the best thing about NATS engineering apprenticeship is probably just the variety of different experiences that you get. The combination of working in operational environments, gaining qualifications at college and also industry standard qualifications really make this apprenticeship stand out.

What I Have Learnt on the NATS Engineering Apprenticeship

I joined the NATS engineering apprenticeship in September 2025, and I have already learned a lot about different electrical disciplines, wiring, testing and also maintenance.

Firstly, I’ve completed my ATSEP Basic and Shared courses with TTS which has allowed me to gain a foundational understanding for many of the domains in the engineering and just begun my first of four rotations in the operation in the Prestwick Service Management Command Centre (SMCC).

Alongside this, we have time in college to gain our Performing Engineering Operations qualification. This course is run at level 5 of the SCQF framework and deals with wiring, testing and also maintenance of electrical and electronic components, both externally mounted in enclosures and the fabrication of the enclosures itself. That’s along with core units on health and safety and legislative compliance, efficiency and effectiveness in engineering, and both using and interpreting engineering data and documentation.

In addition to this formal learning, we’ve also had the opportunity for onsite visits at airports, including Gatwick, Southampton and Glasgow. It’s been amazing to see the operational environment both at our airports and back at Prestwick, which is my usual home base. One of the key advantages to attending these sites and having the chance to talk to all types of engineers. This really helps us understand the bigger picture of the operation as a whole, especially at Prestwick, where we’re one of the largest airspaces covered by any centre in Europe. It’s really quite impactful, the work that we do at Prestwick.

Our 2025 cohhort of engineering apprentices

My Path to the NATS Engineering Apprenticeship

I left school three years ago when I was 16, I’d just completed my Highers and then worked for a year working for a local charity where I grew up in Castle Douglas, refurbishing computers for people in need have been donated. After this, I studied the HNC Aircraft Engineering at Ayrshire College for a year.

Following the successful completion of this course, I then applied for the NATS Engineering Apprenticeship and was successful in my application in Spring of 2025. I was lucky enough to be accepted as one of the five ‘Prestwick Pioneers’.

Who Should Apply for the NATS Engineering Apprenticeship?

I would absolutely recommend the NATS Engineering Apprenticeship to anyone who has even the slightest interest in aviation or electrical work. I can’t think of a better place to start my engineering career. The team is extremely welcoming and you’ll find that no matter what you do here, you will have an opportunity to learn, grow and thrive through everything that you do.

It’s a fantastic opportunity and if you have the chance, I would absolutely take it!

Join the exciting world of NATS as part of our Engineering Apprenticeship, working across a range of engineering functions! We are currently recruiting at our Air Traffic Control Centres located in Swanwick, Hampshire and Prestwick, Ayrshire.