Hello fellow hopefuls,

I noticed NavCanada continuously reposts the job posting for ATC/FSS but so many people are waiting in limbo in the qualification and hiring process. Does anyone have a greater understanding of the hiring process and why it takes so long? Are they continuously trying to recruit people for the highest marks? Do they keep people with average results hanging on a string of hope? The most recent posting was 8 days ago. Many of us are waiting months.

I know people have waited a long time to get through the entire process and many are still waiting longer than I have been. I would just like to understand the process a little better as I am waiting under the status of "interview". Here is my timeline:

Applied: Feb. 2, 2023
Online test: Feb. 9.
FEAST: April 17.
Results: April 25; FSS eligible for interview, ATC not eligible for selection.

Thanks.

Hey,

I don't think you'll find answers to your question on this forum. Unless you're within the recruitment team at NAV Canada, it's just a guess at how things work.

I applied and did my online test in May 2019. I then didn't hear anything until September 2022 for FEAST, but received an IFR offer for YVR earlier this year. I have no idea why it took so long (even considering COVID), and I'm not sure I will ever learn why. My point is, waiting a long time doesn't necessarily mean you didn't test well or won't get an offer.

The best thing you can do is just go about your life and don't think of this is an option until you actually have an offer.

Good luck

You see the same thing in many industries. Companies that want 'the best' (whatever that may be) constantly recruit and keep a pool of applicants, sort them by whatever algorithm they see fit.

Applied early 2019
Feast September 2022 -> Successful for both ATC/FSS
Online Interview September
Bootcamp February
Eligible for Offer February

Have seen others that applied after I was eligible for offer get their offers already.

They've given out offers early June for this upcoming fall and last week for spring 2024.

It really sucks. I suppose that's just life.

The list is ever changing. Every time they get ready to send out offers they pick the top X candidates from the list.

These are just estimate numbers thrown around but roughly

1% of people that apply get an offer

~30-50% of VFR offers materialize into licensed controllers
~30% of IFR
- 80% of FSS

Training a student just for the basic course can cost 3-500k (not just your salary but your instructors as well + other back end costs)

They are going to be constantly looking for candidates to add to their pool.

The alternative would be having people pay for training (which is what they did in the past)