Gloucestershire Airport based aviation training business Global ATS has announced that it will begin offering an air traffic control apprenticeship, after achieving main provider status from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

Global ATS has developed its existing commercial training offering to meet the requirements of the Air Traffic Controller Apprenticeship Standard.

Now listed as a main training provider on the Education and Skills Funding Agency website, the firm is set to complete its onboarding process this August in preparation for the launch of the scheme in early 2021.

Global ATS added that the scheme and specifically the Air Traffic Controller Standard unlocks crucial government funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency for UK ATC Training, providing significant cost benefits to the UK airport industry.

Jon English, head of training at Global ATS said: "This is a significant achievement for Global ATS and enhances the training and funding routes available to our UK customers.

"Additional responsibilities as a main training provider include a programme that is completed both during initial training and unit training. Global ATS will work closely with our customers to support them through the full end to end process."

Andy Cameron, academy director added: "This announcement comes twelve months after our 2019 seminar where we communicated our intention to achieve main provider status. I look forward to working closely with our UK customers over the coming weeks and months to ensure they are able to access this exciting scheme."