Campaign launched to tackle shortage of air traffic controllers in Hampshire

David Wright and his trainer at Nats air traffic control training facility

Nats, based in Whiteley and Swanwick, say not enough young people are getting into the sector.

Research released by Nats – the main air navigation provider in the UK – suggests that young people are not being informed about future careers in aviation.

The firm has today launched an initiative to recruit hundreds of new air traffic controllers.

Nats has around 1,670 controllers but is looking to recruit hundreds over the coming years to help it manage future traffic growth and to replace retiring air traffic controllers.

To coincide with the launch of the campaign, Nats has released research that reveals that only six per cent of 16-25s have ever received advice on careers in aviation.

Jobs in retail, professional services and health were at least four times more likely to have been discussed in formal careers interviews with young people.

Its Whiteley campus also includes a training centre for new air traffic controllers.

Nats is investing almost £1 billion in new state-of-the-art technologies to help it manage the increase in traffic.