Starting Young: Tips

[EricCAX6]

Hi,

I am graduating this year from highschool, and I am looking at applying to be a controller this July when I graduate. I have been working with floatplanes here on the coast for 3 and a half years and during such time I have talked to many people about becoming one and it seems like something I would like to do.

I am wondering if any of you guys have any advice for a young person that can help me reach my goal, anything to do well in at school, extra stuff that might help?

Also I would be interested in finding out about the first aptitude test and what sort of questions I should be encountering.

One other thing I am confused about... Everyone on here keeps talking about training sessions at YVR, YEG etc. Do you apply to work in a specific region, and when space is availible they train you for that specific region? How does that work? My goal is to work VFR at YVR.

Thanks to anyone who can help me out!

[Braun]

Well first step is to to the online tests, once you pass that you will be assigned a testing date to which you go to and write a series of tests which you can most likely get more info on Nav Canada's website. As for things you can do, to be honest, it's all about life experience when it gets to the the interview. It is a behavioral style interview, at least it was, so I suggest you read up on those there is a lot of info on the web about that. The reason everyone talks training at YVR and YEG is because I am guessing most people on here are from those areas, truth is Nav Canada is Canada wide and technically you can end up anywhere. I think now though that the company tries to keep you as close to home as possible. As for YVR tower I might be mistaking but i'm not too sure they have too many courses for that, it is a pretty sought after position for checked out controllers so I don't know the regularity of courses for it. Anyways it is a great job and it will take some hard work and sacrifice to succeed but it is worth it! If you haven't been on a tour already you should do it as you will get a good idea of the job, workplace environment and you will see if it is something that really interests you!