My first year as a NATS apprentice

Today is my first anniversary as a Business Management Support Coordinator Apprentice at NATS. I have developed an incredible amount over the last 12 months and feel really proud to be a part of the company.

There are so many things that I enjoy about working at NATS, which challenge and excite me, such as working with different people across the company, allowing me to gain insights into areas that I could potentially pursue a career in. I have also loved representing NATS at various careers fairs, inspiring the next generation of potential apprentices.

NATS offers great opportunities to new employees and school leavers, which inspired me to apply for the apprenticeship scheme. The eligibility requirements can vary depending on which role you apply for, but I needed five GCSEs grade A-C. You can check out the current apprenticeship schemes which are open for applications here. The apprenticeship is an 18-month programme with six-month rotations around different parts of the business.

I would never have imagined working for an organisation like NATS. I didn’t know much about it and my initial thoughts were that it would be too difficult. I wanted to do something different, something that would challenge me and allow me to progress into a career rather than just ‘having a job.’ The whole team at NATS have been amazing at encouraging and supporting me to get the most I can from the apprenticeship scheme.

Working in the aviation industry has been a complete eye opener for me, entering an area I knew nothing about this time last year. I now have a new appreciation for the decisions that are made daily to keep the skies above us safe. I constantly learn new things and can challenge some of the current processes in place, allowing me to bring new ideas and perceptions into the company. I see myself becoming more curious within the aviation industry and I am excited for what the future may hold.

One day I hope to be a director within a key business area. I believe that setting myself high goals will enable me to prove that people with various academic backgrounds can all contribute towards keeping the skies safe at NATS.