I have been looking at becoming an ATC for a while now, I am 27 and am based in the Merseyside area and currently work in IT. I have read countless documents on the internet and bought the ATC career prep book and practiced aptitude tests.
 
Before I commit to trying to become an ATC and moving down to Bournemouth, I really want to spend an hour or whatever I can get in a control tower or area control room, just to get a feel for what it is like. I would hate to relocate and get on the training course only to find I don't like the job, especially after the training.
 
Does anyone know of how to go about this? I have looked all over the internet and found nothing, but do know of people who have been able to go visit the tower.
 
Also if I had the choice I would love to be an approach controller based in the tower, but I know you don’t get a choice when you get on the NATS course of what type of controller you can become. In my mind it doesn’t look very likely that this will happen because I am sure jobs are few and far between and demand is high.
 
I know I will have to go through a very thorough recruitment process and may not make it to the college but I just want to be sure before I make up my mind.
 
Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Regards
 
Antony