Air traffic controller

You could apply to do an apprenticeship to get into this career, for example:

• Aviation Flight Operations Co-ordinator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Aviation Operations Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Air Traffic Controller Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship

You may be able to work in a similar role through an armed forces apprenticeship:

• Royal Air Force
• Royal Navy

You can apply for a place as a trainee with National Air Traffic Services.

You'll need a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent qualifications, including English and maths. You must also successfully complete several assessment stages before being offered a training place.

You'll be expected to relocate to Fareham in Hampshire while training. Once you qualify, you could work anywhere in the UK.

Initial training takes up to 1 year and further training will continue while you're working.

You may also be considered for training if you have relevant aviation experience as a military air traffic controller, or military or commercial pilot.

You could do a university degree which includes pilot studies.

Your university degree will:

• include commercial pilot training with an approved flight training organisation
• lead to a 'frozen' Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) which allows you to work as a co-pilot and build up the necessary flying hours to become a captain

If you have flying experience in the armed forces, you could apply directly to the Civil Aviation Authority's Military Aircrew Accreditation Scheme to become a commercial pilot.

You could apply to join a pilot training programme with a passenger airline.

Although not essential, you could do a university degree in air transport or aviation, which includes helicopter pilot studies with an approved flight training organisation.

To start a course, you'll need:

• A levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
• a minimum of a Class 2 medical certificate
• to be over 18

You'll need to apply for the higher level Class 1 medical certificate during your course to get your Commercial Pilot's Licence. If you wish, you can apply for the Class 1 certificate before your course starts.

As well as standard university fees, you will need to fund the flight training part of your course. Universities can advise you about this.

You can apply to join a course with a flight training organisation to get your Commercial Pilot Licence CPL(H). You'll need the CPL(H) to fly helicopters commercially.

Entry requirements vary though you'll usually need:

• to pass skills tests and a thorough medical assessment
• a minimum of 155 hours' flying time

The number of flying hours needed may be lower for trained aeroplane pilots.

As a first step, you could train for a Private Pilot's Licence PPL(H) which allows you to fly for personal use and build up your flying hours. The flight training school would assess your skills, and could ask you to take some pre-course training to prove that you have the level of ability and skills needed for commercial training.

Training is expensive and you'll usually have to fund it yourself.

You can also join the Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force and become a trainee pilot.