Ofsted, the independent body that inspects and regulates education and training providers across England, has published its first full inspection report on NATS’ air traffic control training college, awarding it the second highest rating it is possible to achieve.
Inspectors concluded that apprentices work to an “extremely high standard” and “achieve very well, regardless of their starting point or background”, with nearly all progressing to live training. The report also found that apprentices rapidly develop both their theoretical understanding and practical competency as training scenarios grow in complexity.
Launched in 2023, NATS’ employer-provided apprenticeship programme had 156 apprentices in training at its Whiteley college in Hampshire at the time of the inspection, all working towards a Level 5 air traffic control apprenticeship. The programme typically spans around one year of initial training, combining classroom learning with high-fidelity simulator exercises that replicate real-world operational scenarios, before apprentices progress into live operational environments.
Inspectors highlighted the breadth of the curriculum beyond core technical training. Apprentices gain first-hand experience in an A320 aircraft simulator, including take-off and landing, and hear directly from pilots, giving them a rounded understanding of the operational environment they will work in. Inspectors noted that apprentices are “rightly very proud” to work for NATS.
The report also highlights a strong sense of community and culture of support, with leaders having “fully embedded a culture of care, support and inclusion” across the programme. Apprentices benefit from regular wellbeing check-ins and close monitoring of their progress, with instructors quickly identifying where additional support is needed and adapting their approach to help individuals stay on track.
Beyond the simulator, apprentices develop a broad range of skills needed for the role, including the use of airspace management systems, applying mathematical principles such as rates of climb and descent, and building the communications skills required to communicate with numerous aircraft and manage them safely. Alongside these technical skills, the programme places a strong emphasis on developing resilience and decision-making skills, so that apprentices are well prepared for the demands of a safety critical operational environment.
“We have been developing our apprenticeship programme over a number of years, working closely with partners across the industry to design a model that reflects both the technical demands of the role and the wider skills apprentices need to succeed,” said Jenny Ludford, Director of Operations Training at NATS. “Since launching the programme in 2023, it has become central to how we recruit and train new controllers, helping us build a sustainable pipeline of talent for the future.”
“We are extremely proud of what our training teams have built. This report is a testament to their expertise, and genuine commitment to every apprentice who comes through our doors. Developing the next generation of air traffic controllers is one of the most important things we do, and it is hugely rewarding to see that work recognised at this level.”
Under Ofsted’s new framework, NATS received a ‘Strong standard’ rating – the second highest grade of the five available – across every category inspected, covering achievement, curriculum and teaching, participation and development, inclusion, and leadership and governance. The inspection was conducted under Ofsted’s revised framework, published in November 2025, making NATS one of the first providers to be assessed under the new criteria. ‘Strong standard’ denotes that a provider is working above the standard expected nationally.
UK airspace is among the busiest and most complex in the world, with over 2.5 million flights each year. The apprentices who qualify through this programme will join NATS’ operational teams at airports and control centres across the country, playing a direct role in keeping that system running safely and efficiently every day.
