Air traffic controller

Your tasks will vary depending on which type of controller you become. There are 3 types:

• area controllers - track and guide aircraft flying at higher altitudes through a sector and are based at a regional control centre
•  approach controllers - manage aircraft as they approach the airport and issue instructions to planes that have just taken off
•  aerodrome controllers - work in a control tower, giving clearance to land and take off, and guide pilots to the correct taxi positions on stands and runways

Typically in these roles you could:

• make sure safe distances are maintained between aircraft
•  keep in radio contact with flight crew and give out instructions
•  prevent collisions between planes and with other obstacles
•  handle emergencies
•  monitor data

• concentration skills
• knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• excellent verbal communication skills
• complex problem-solving skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

You should be eligible to work in the UK.

You must be prepared to work anywhere in the UK.

You can get into this job through:

• an apprenticeship
• a trainee scheme

With experience, you could move into training and assessing new controllers, or become a supervisor or unit manager.

You could also move into operations management.