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This page covers the NAV CANADA assessment centre only: the half-day assessment stage, group and individual exercises, interview, bilingual assessment considerations and what happens if you are unsuccessful. For earlier online and in-person testing, see the NAV CANADA online assessment and NAV CANADA assessment test guides. For the full pathway, see NAV CANADA hiring process.

Quick overview: NAV CANADA assessment centre

Assessment centre sessions are half-day assessments, typically held at NAV CANADA area control centres. They include group exercises, individual exercises, and an interview designed to assess candidates’ skills, abilities and attitudes.

Candidates should be prepared to discuss academic and work experience and their interest in an air traffic control career. Passing this stage does not guarantee selection or training.

When candidates reach the assessment centre

This stage follows earlier selection steps such as the online assessment and in-person assessment test for invited candidates. NAV CANADA schedules by region and operational needs.

You will receive official instructions through Workday, the careers portal, and your personal email. Do not assume every candidate in a campaign reaches the assessment centre on the same date.

Where assessment centre sessions are held

NAV CANADA publishes that assessment centre sessions are typically held at NAV CANADA area control centres.

Confirm address, arrival time, and any document requirements in your invitation-not from unofficial forums.

Group and individual exercises

Assessment centre sessions include group exercises and individual exercises as part of the half-day assessment.

NAV CANADA does not publish detailed exercise names on the public selection pages summarized here. Prepare to follow instructions, work professionally with others, and communicate clearly under observation.

Interview component

Sessions also include an interview designed to assess candidates’ skills, abilities and attitudes. This is separate from the 15-minute same-day pre-screening interview after successful in-person testing.

For general interview preparation orientation (not a substitute for NAV CANADA’s format), see NAV CANADA interview.

Bilingual assessment centre for Montreal FIR positions

Candidates applying for bilingual positions in the Montreal Flight Information Region complete a bilingual assessment centre session.

English fluency is required for all regions. English and French fluency are required to work in Quebec or Ottawa. Language testing when required is completed later with a third-party company over the phone-not as a substitute for understanding bilingual assessment centre expectations.

Language rules: NAV CANADA language requirements.

What candidates should be ready to discuss

NAV CANADA advises candidates to be prepared to discuss academic and work experience and their interest in an air traffic control career.

Practical preparation:

  • review your application history for consistency;
  • prepare concise examples of teamwork, judgement, and learning from feedback;
  • understand why you are pursuing ATC with NAV CANADA;
  • plan professional dress and arrival logistics for a half-day session.

What happens after the assessment centre?

You may move toward language testing when required, selection steps, pre-employment conditions, or receive a message that you are not continuing in the current campaign.

Details and next steps are communicated through Workday, NAV CANADA’s careers portal, and your personal email. Outcomes: NAV CANADA results. Timing: NAV CANADA selection timeline.

Passing one stage does not guarantee an offer or training. Selected candidates receive an offer before the course start date only after later selection and checks described in the hiring process guide.

What if you are unsuccessful?

NAV CANADA states that candidates unsuccessful at the assessment centre are eligible to reapply three years after their assessment date.

Save your assessment date from official communications. Full waiting-period rules: NAV CANADA retake policy.

Optional vendor shortcuts (commercial)

If you want optional paid prep aligned with this page topic, compare these options:

Use review-first comparison: JobTestPrep FEAST Review, ATC Preparation Review, and SkyTest Review.

Preparation resources

Prepare for professional interaction and structured exercises-not leaked assessment content.

Some linked preparation resources may be commercial. NAV CANADA’s official instructions should always come first.

See NAV CANADA test prep, JobTestPrep FEAST Review, and ATC Preparation Review. Optional vendor editions: European ATCO, UK & Ireland, and Germany, Austria & Switzerland.

Sources