ATC Trainee Bursary Programme

ATNS is proud to provide bursaries for motivated and interested ATC trainees to train to become Air Traffic Controllers (ATC’s). An ATC is an important member of the team who ensures the safe, orderly and expeditious travel by air of millions of passengers per annum by ensuring that aircraft are separated from one another and ensuring an organised flow of air traffic.

ATNS is the sole air traffic and navigation services provider (ANSP) in South Africa and provides all of the training for career opportunities in air traffic control and related services at our training academy (ATA) in Johannesburg.

The bursary programme facilitates an opportunity to undergo the required studies and to obtain the relevant exposure in order to qualify as an ATC. The ATC Trainee programme consists of 3 phases, namely the Bursary Scheme (bursary contract), the ATC Learnership (under fixed term contract) and ATC aerodrome course and validation phase (under fixed term contract). The study bursary provides each bursar with an opportunity to conduct their studies at the ATA and includes a practical exposure period of phase one of the ATC Trainee programme. 
Phase 1: Bursary Scheme 

The following is offered as part of the ATC Trainee bursary:

• Transport to the guest lodge in Johannesburg at the beginning of the training programme and returning at the end of the programme (if the bursar is from outside Gauteng)
• Cost of tuition
• Accommodation, on a sharing basis, at a guest lodge arranged by the ATA for the duration of the core content course
• Transport to and from the ATA as per study requirements for the duration of the core content course
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily for the duration of the core content course
• A monthly allowance payable at the end of the each month.  See Current Rates
• 10 days of non academic activities as determined by the study programme co-ordinators.

AIM students now become permanent employees and do not qualify for the next phase of exposure offered to ATSA contract. After the initial course, Core content course, when bursars are posted to an operational control center for operational exposure learning, bursars may take care of their own accommodation, meals and transport. ATNS will then provide a monthly allowance. See Current Rates .

The bursary arrangement will cease upon successful completion of the ATS rating course. Bursars must ensure that they are on time for their classes and shifts. Punctuality will be strictly enforced. Bursars are required to pass all of their modules, courses and examinations in order for the bursary to continue. Should a bursar not successfully complete an examination or assessment, but achieve more than 50%, he/she may be given the opportunity to rewrite or be re-assessed. Should he/she still not be successful, the bursary will be terminated.

Phase 2:  ATC Learnership

Once a bursar has successfully completed the bursary phase, Phase 1 of the ATC Trainee training programme, he/she will have graduated with an ATSA license rating qualification. The next step to becoming an ATC is to validate this rating on operational positions.  The following is offered as part of Learnership program -

Validation

In order to validate the ATSA rating and continue with the ATC Trainee training programme, ATNS may offer the bursar:

• an eighteen month fixed term contract. In terms of the bursary contract, the successful bursar accepts this contract.
• during this time, the bursar receives a salary
• no longer eligible for company accommodation, transport etc.
• medical aid and pension are not provided as benefits during this contract period and
• ATC Trainees should ensure that adequate measures are taken to provide for these.

Should a bursar choose not to undertake the fixed term contract, ATNS may claim the investment made to date by the company.

Responsibility of Bursar/Learner:

During the fixed term contract the bursar must complete all of the necessary validations required to perform solo duties as an ATSA. The ATC Trainee’s performance is continually monitored during this time and feedback is provided on an ongoing basis. During this phase the trainee will be required to sign an Aerodrome training contact. This agreement will cover the aerodrome exposure, rating training and validation and oblige the individual to work for ATNS for five years after aerodrome validation.

In the event that an ATC Trainee is not successful in the aerodrome selection process, or fails the aerodrome related courses, or fails the aerodrome validation training, the trainee will not qualify to continue with the ATC Trainee bursary programme and ATNS may claim the investment made to date by the company. The trainee may apply for other positions e.g. ATSA should vacancies exist and if he/she meets the selection criteria.  The fixed term contract will end after the eighteen months or upon successful validation of the Aerodrome rating and subsequent offer of permanent employment, depending on which milestone is reached first.

Phase 3: ATC

The offer of permanent employment as an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) will include an ATC salary in line with the Air Traffic Services (ATS) salary matrix and full benefits (including medical aid, pension etc.). On acceptance of the offer, the ATC Trainee becomes a fully fledged member of the ATNS air traffic services team.

CURRENT RATES

AIM/Core Course

Monthly allowance: R 1 500.00 payable monthly at the end of each month
Accommodation by the company is on a per person sharing basis - compulsory.

ATS Rating Course

Option 1
R2000 - during operational exposure and ATS rating course if candidate elects to make use of Company transport and accommodation.

Option 2
R5500 – during operational exposure and ATS rating course if candidate elects NOT to make use of Company transport and accommodation.

Fixed term employment contract:

Total remuneration: R 89,100 p.a. for the first six months and then R 118,396 p.a. thereafter until qualified as ATC. Figures are subject to annual revisions.

Permanent employment:

ATC starting salary as per ATS Matrix 07/08: R171,224 p.a.
Note: On commencement of the permanent employment, the net of the individual may drop slightly due to the fact that the benefits of medical aid and pension have been added.  Salaries linked to the ATS matrix will be revised in accordance with annual salary increases.  Rates are applicable as at May 2007 and are subject to periodic review at the discretion of the ATNS management.

ATC TRAINEE PROCESS

PHASE 1: BURSAR

Bursar Contract for a value of R220,000.00 covering the following elements : ATM/AIM Core Exposure Training ATS Rating Course

PHASE 2: ATC

Fixed term employment contract for an 18 month period with the following criteria:

PHASE 3:  ATC

More information

Bursars are required to pass all of their modules, courses and examinations in order for the bursary to continue. Should a bursar not
successfully complete an examination or assessment, but achieve more than 50%, he/she may be given the opportunity to rewrite or be re-assessed. Should he/she still not be successful, the bursary will be terminated.

Once a bursar has successfully completed the bursary programme, he/she will have graduated with an ATSA license rating qualification. The next step in becoming an ATC is to validate this rating on operational positions.