JobsAndCareersSpringIssue2017 - 243

FOCUS :

TRANSPORT

also have to work out the fuel load based
on the total weight of the aircraft, the
distance you will be flying and the
altitude you will be flying at.
What skills do I need? You can become a
pilot with good A-Levels but having a
science or engineering degree will help
considerably. You will need to attain a
Private Pilot's Licence (PPL), followed by
a Commercial Pilot's Licence (CPL) and
finally an Airline Transport Pilot's
Licence (ATPL). This last one takes
between nine and 36 months to gain.
How do I progress? Promotion from
First Officer to Captain can take around
15 years with ongoing training. You could
become a Flight Instructor or take on a
senior management role.
How much can I earn? You start low at
£15,000 to £20,000, but large airlines
pay between £38,000 and £50,000.
Experienced captains on long-haul
flights can earn up to £150,000.

Air traffic controller

AIRLINE
Cabin crew
Excellent customer service is key, as your
priority is to ensure all passengers have
a comfortable, safe flight. As well as
providing refreshments and in-flight
sales, you need to be able to deal with
an emergency and administer first aid.
You will also have to demonstrate and
enforce safety procedures to passengers.
What skills do I need? Good GCSE
results may be sufficient but it will help if
you have a degree or HND in hospitality,
languages or tourism.
You do need excellent communication
skills, to be able to work in a team, keep
calm and diffuse tense situations quickly.

How can I progress? With experience
you can become a Purser or Chief Purser,
with management responsibilities of first
class or business cabins.
What can I earn? The starting salary is
£12,000 to £14,000, but this is boosted
by shift pay, bonuses for performance or
sales and with experience goes up to a
base rate of £20,000.

Pilot
Obviously not as simple as hopping in the
cockpit and taking off, Airline Pilots have
full control and responsibility for the
safety, efficiency and smooth operation
of their flights. You will be responsible
for preparing a detailed flight plan after
studying the route, weather reports and
departures and arrivals schedules. You

Not for the faint-hearted, Air Traffic
Controllers manage aircraft through all
aspects of the flight from take off to
landing. Radar and radio are used to
communicate with pilots. There are
sub-types who deal with different stages
of the process, including Approach
Controllers and Aerodrome Controllers.
What skills do I need? Five GCSEs at C
or above are mandatory but a degree that
provides numeracy and technical skills is
a bonus. Training takes a year through
National Air Traffic Services which
stipulates you need to be motivated,
conscientious and decisive. Its website
(nats.aero) has tests for the desired skills.
How can I progress? After the year's
training, you'll need a further two years
hands-on experience before becoming
fully qualified. Then you can progress to
supervisor level.
How much can I earn? Starting salary is
just over £13,000, rising to £17,000
after training and, with experience, to
£36,000 and more - plus shift pay.
FIND OUT MORE
* Networkrail.co.uk/careers
* Recruitment.highways.gov.uk
* Aviationjobsearch.com/uk
* Nats.aero/careers

J O B S & C A R E E R S /// 2 4 3
http://www.nats.aero http://Networkrail.co.uk/careers http://Recruitment.highways.gov.uk http://www.Aviationjobsearch.com/uk http://www.Nats.aero/careers
JobsAndCareersSpringIssue2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JobsAndCareersSpringIssue2017
