Air Traffic Control Officer Bursary at ATNS

Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) offers bursaries for students to train towards a career in air traffic management with the goal of becoming an air traffic control officer (ATCO). The program provides each bursar with an opportunity to conduct their studies at the Aviation Training Academy (ATA) in Bonaero Park.

The ATCO Trainee Programme consists of three phases: the Bursary Scheme (a bursary contract), the ATC Learnership (conducted under a fixed-term contract) and an 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 ATNS Aviation Training Academy.

ATNS primarily provides an advanced air traffic management service, as well as the implementation and maintenance of a reliable navigation infrastructure.

Phase 1: Bursary Scheme

The following is offered as part of the ATCO Trainee bursary:
Transport to the guest lodge in Johannesburg at the beginning of the training programme and 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 ATNS ATA for the duration of the core content course
Transport to and from the ATNS 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 each month
10 days of non-academic activities as determined by the study programme co-ordinators.After the initial and core content course (when bursars are posted to an operational control centre for operational exposure learning) they may take care of their own accommodation, meals and transport (ATNS will then increase the monthly allowance) orbursars can opt to continue to stay in the guest lodge as provided by the ATNS ATA.


Phase 2: ATCO Learnership

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

In order to validate the ATSO rating and continue with the ATCO training programme, ATNS may offer the bursar an 18 month fixed-term contract (in terms of the bursary contract, the successful bursar accepts this contract) and a salary during the term of this contract.

Bursars should please note:
they are no longer eligible for company accommodation, transport
medical aid and pension are not provided as benefits during this contract period and ATCO 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.

Phase 3: ATCO

The offer of permanent employment as an Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO) will include an ATCO 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 ATCO Trainee becomes a fully-fledged member of the ATNS air traffic services team.

Minimum requirements

Applicants must
Be a minimum of 18-years-old
Have Grade 12 with maths and English (HG D or SG C or level 4 upwards)
Be a South African citizen
Be medically fit

Applicants should be aware that our application process includes ability assessments and a formal interview.

How to apply For This:

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