To be considered for a career in air traffic services, you must apply through Workday, NAV CANADA’s careers portalOpen a new window. You will be prompted to include basic information, such as your education and work history, as well as answer questions pertaining to the basic requirements of the role. You will also be asked about your stream preferences – we recommend you take the time to learn about the different career opportunities available in air traffic services before you apply. You can find out more about the different available roles on our website.
The basic eligibility requirements are as follows:
Please note that if you do not meet the basic requirements, your application will be automatically screened out, and you will not be invited to complete any assessments.
Once your application has been submitted, eligible applicants (those who meet the basic requirements) will be progressed to the first assessment stage. Assessments will be distributed based on the operational requirements at the time.
Our air traffic control and flight service specialist candidates come from all different educational and workplace backgrounds – aviation experience is not required for our recruitment process.
While there is no formal preparation needed for the standard tests we administer, you can prepare yourself by learning more about the Company, exploring the available career paths and considering the following:
Before you advance through the assessment process, you should also consider why you think a career in air traffic services is right for you and what competencies you bring to the table. Additionally, ensure you understand the training requirements and relocation options for your preferred career path.
Each test we administer has a pass score. You must successfully pass each test to be considered for the subsequent assessment. If you are not successful in passing an assessment, you will be notified and you will not be invited to the next stage of the process.
Furthermore, your scores will be compared to other candidates who apply. Candidates with the top scores are selected through each stage to move forward.
Please note that we are unable to provide feedback on individual assessment performance or provide assessment scores.
After you are referred by a NAV CANADA employee for a career in Air Traffic Services, you will receive an email inviting you to complete your application. You must use this custom link to apply before you can be considered for a position in Air Traffic Services.
Your status in Workday, NAV CANADA’s careers portalOpen a new window, is an indication of where you are in the application and assessment process. Please note that passing a step in the selection process does not guarantee you will receive an invitation to the next assessment. Your scores will be compared to those of other applicants and we will select candidates to move forward based on operational requirements.
Assessments are conducted in the regions, depending on operational requirements. Don’t be surprised if you do not hear back right away after submitting your application. To check the status of your application, log into your account on our careers portal Open a new windowand under “Submitted Applications”, you will be able to see your application for the air traffic services role, as well as your current stage in the process.
NOTE: Applications for careers in air traffic control and flight service will continue to be accepted and kept on file.
The length of the application and assessment process can vary. Depending on when you apply and your scores, the process may move quickly or you may wait a bit longer at a certain stage. Candidates are invited to the next stage of testing based on scores from previous assessments. Your application will only be active for a total of 36 months before you time out. After that point, your application will expire and you can reapply.
If you’re unsuccessful at any stage in the assessment process, you are ineligible to reapply for 36 months after your application date. During this time, we recommend reviewing the information on our careers page to learn more about the various streams, eligibility requirements and training timelines to ensure that you understand the requirements of the position you are interested in.
To apply for other career opportunities within the Company, visit our careers portalOpen a new window.
Passing our assessments does not guarantee a training offer. Positions are limited by operational requirements and candidates are selected based on scores. If you are successful in passing all the assessments, but are not immediately offered a training seat, you are still eligible to receive an offer for 36 months after your application date.
NOTE: Training activities continue to be modified to accommodate regional health and safety guidelines, national recovery and revised operational needs. Due to reduced operational requirements many courses have been put on hold and there are currently no scheduled assessment sessions.
Along with your offer, you will receive information on completing your pre-employment drug screening (including cannabis), medical testing and security screening. All of these must be completed in a timely fashion to ensure you are ready to begin your course on the start date.
To be admitted into our air traffic control training program, you will require a Civil Aviation Category 2 medical issued by Transport Canada. A Transport Canada-approved examiner conducts the required medical screening. NAV CANADA helps candidates identify practitioners who offer this service.
To be admitted into our flight service specialist training program, a medical certification for flight service specialists is required. NAV CANADA helps candidates identify practitioners who offer this service.
NAV CANADA will reimburse candidates up to $300 CDN for their medical examinations required as part of our recruitment process. The medical process can be lengthy. Candidates are encouraged to start the process as early as possible. Medical examinations are conducted by Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME). Information for how to contact a CAME can be found on the Transport Canada website.
If you are unable to obtain your medical, you will not be permitted to start training.
Training offers are typically extended four months prior to the start of training, giving you enough time to complete your pre-employment requirements and organize relocation, if required.
During basic training, you can expect to be working a 37.5 hour workweek. Full-time attendance is mandatory. Once you move in to On-Job training, air traffic control students will switch to shift work and a 34 hour workweek. Flight service specialist students will switch to a shift schedule, but will keep the 37.5 hour workweek.
Not everyone selected for training is successful in becoming an air traffic services professional. The selection process ensures you have the basic aptitudes identified for those who have the best chance of being successful in training for a career in air traffic services. NAV CANADA will also provide the training resources, support programs, and world class instructors to help support you during your training program.
Training is delivered in classroom and simulator settings at regional facilities. The first phase of training is nationally standardized, but later training is tailored to the specific needs of the region. Training is very challenging and requires a large time commitment to be successful. There is a lot of information to retain and there are many skills to develop. To ensure learning, you will complete regular evaluations along the way. Check out the Air Traffic Controller and Flight Service Specialist careers pages for more details regarding the training programs.
There is no formal break during the initial training programs. However, standard provincial holidays are observed.
If a student requires bereavement or medical leave, time away is permitted. Instructors will work with students, to the best of their abilities, to help them catch up to their peers, but if they are away for a significant amount of time, there could be a serious impact on their learning progression.
Training to become an air traffic controller or flight service specialist is a full time – and paid – job. You will be required to attend class regularly and, in addition, should expect to be completing homework assignments and studying on evenings and weekends. Check out the Air Traffic Controller and Flight Service Specialist careers pages for more details regarding the training program.
During basic training, you can expect to be working a 37.5 hour work-week. Full-time attendance is mandatory. Once you move in to On-Job training, air traffic control students will switch to shift work and a 34 hour workweek. Flight service specialist students will switch to a shift schedule, but will keep the 37.5 hour workweek.
Once you have qualified as an air traffic controller or flight service specialist, relocation and the transferring of sites is governed by the Air Traffic Specialists Association of Canada (ATSAC) or Canadian Air Traffic Control Association (CATCA) collective agreements.
Meeting our security background check, medical and drug screening requirements is a condition of ongoing employment.
Canada’s air navigation system operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year; work hours are shift-based. There are a variety of shift formulas, such as six days on three days off, with morning, evening and night shifts. This is not your typical 9-to-5 workplace, which means you may find the flexibility to do things a traditional schedule would not allow for. Hours of work will be governed by the Air Traffic Specialists Association of Canada (ATSAC) or Canadian Air Traffic Control Association (CATCA) collective agreements.
You’ll start to receive a training salary as soon as you begin your training paid bi-weekly. The salary amount, depends on your career path within air traffic services.
Your salary increases once you’re fully qualified.
NOTE: These rates reflect the 2022 union pay range under the current collective agreement.
Most of the information you need is on our website. If you have not found what you are looking for, you can reach our Talent Acquisition team by emailing CarrieresATSCareers@navcanada.ca.