RGENT FAA MESSAGE ABOUT ATCer RECRUITMENT FAILS TO MENTION ONE
Below is an FAA announcement by FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker establishing the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI). The program expands the labor pool of air traffic controller to meet a staffing shortfall. He HIGHLIHTED the valuable partnership between selected colleges and universities and FAA. Graduates of these AT-CTI programs will have shown command of a broad-based aviation curriculum.
Here are some key points about AT-CTI schools:
- Program Overview:
- AT-CTI schools offer two- and four-year non-engineering aviation degrees.
- These programs teach basic courses in air traffic control and aviation administration.
- The goal is to provide qualified candidates for developmental air traffic control specialist positions.
- Graduates of the AT-CTI program are eligible to bypass the Air Traffic Basics Course, which is the first five weeks of qualification training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City.
- Academy training consists of option-specific (terminal or en route) initial training, and successful completion of all required training at the FAA Academy is necessary to continue employment with the FAA.
This extension of the ATC training to these new programs offered by these institutions is an URGENT NEED to restore the ATC’s human capital. Roughly simultaneously, a highly qualified partnership between SERCO and ADVANCED ATC (AATC) to RECRUIT candidates and TRAIN them to be ready for TOWERs, TRACONs, and EN ROUTE CENTERs. SERCO has extraordinary qualifications—it has for years identified talented prospects, trained and then managed the graduates as explained in this release:
Serco is the largest non-government provider of air navigation services in the world, delivering air traffic control for small regional airports as well as the largest commercial air hub on the globe.
We provide a range of critical air navigation services and build domestic air traffic control capacity to support air traffic growth in partnership with our aviation customers. WE ARE THE ONLY COMMERCIAL PROVIDER TO ENCOMPASS THE THREE DISCIPLINES OF TOWER OPERATIONS, APPROACH CONTROL, AND EN-ROUTE CENTERS.
Serco enables our customers to develop a world-class team of air traffic controllers and continually update their skills to keep up with the latest technologies and international standards. WE CONSISTENTLY EXCEED CRITICAL METRICS INCLUDING CAPACITY GROWTH, RUNWAY THROUGHPUT, SAFETY, PROGRAM DELIVERY, AND PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT.
Our capability is extensive and includes air traffic control, air traffic engineering, safety, training and simulation, strategic planning and program management, meteorological services, IT services and aeronautical information management, and communication, navigation, surveillance/air traffic management (CNS/ATM).
If the FAA’s highest priority is the reestablishment of full ATC capacity, it would seem that an announcement–trying to attract a wave of able bodied students to fill the empty seats in towers, tracons and enroute centers—should include a highly respected, proven recruiter, trainer and manager of controllers. It should be noted that the ATC job involves a skill set known as LINEAR THINKERS. Not every academic institution knows how to build upon that mental predilection. SERCO should have been mentioned. Can’t figure out why not!!!
FAA Moves to Accelerate Air Traffic Controller Hiring by Enhancing College Training Program
Friday, February 9, 2024
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is working to accelerate its training and hiring of air traffic controllers through an Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program.
“HIRING MORE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS IS A PRIORITY,” said FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. “We need more entry points for controller candidates and this enhanced college controller training program is an additional avenue to get controllers into facilities sooner.”
The Enhanced AT-CTI program will bolster the current hiring pipeline by allowing the FAA TO HIRE MORE CANDIDATES who can begin facility training IMMEDIATELY UPON GRADUATION.
Partial list of AT-CTI schools:
- Aims Community College
- University of Alaska
- Arizona State University
- Broward College
- Community College of Baltimore County
- Community College of Beaver County
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Elizabeth City State University
- Farmingdale State College
- Florida Institute of Technology
- Florida Memorial University
- Florida State College at Jacksonville
- Green River College
- Hampton University
- Hesston College
- Inter-American University of Puerto Rico
- Jacksonville University
- Kent State University
- Lewis University
- Metropolitan State University
- Miami Dade College
- Middle Georgia State University
- Mt. San Antonio College
- Purdue University
- Sacramento City College
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Tulsa Community College
- University of Alaska Anchorage
- University of Oklahoma
- Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
The FAA is authorizing institutions in the AT-CTI program to provide the same thorough curriculum offered at the FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy. After graduating from one of the eligible schools, new hires can immediately begin localized training at an air traffic facility. These graduates still must pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) exam and meet medical and security requirements.
Colleges will apply to join the Enhanced AT-CTI program in April 2024, and the FAA will then sign partnership agreements with the selected institutions that incorporate the new curriculum. The FAA has now surveyed which institutions in the AT-CTI program want to and can incorporate the new enhancements for the 2024-25 school year.
To ensure the highest quality of the Enhanced AT-CTI graduating students, the FAA has already provided guidance on academy criteria and coursework and will oversee all program requirements. These schools will follow all the technology, testing, oversight, and participation requirements of the new Enhanced AT-CTI program.
The current AT-CTI program is a NON-FUNDED PARTNERSHIP between select colleges and universities and the FAA and is a valuable source of applicants for air traffic controller positions.
The Enhanced AT-CTI program is one of the many actions the FAA is taking to increase the number of controllers and improve training following the release of the National Airspace System Safety Review Team Report. This includes year-round hiring for experienced controllers from the military and private industry, filling every seat at the FAA Academy and finishing the deployment of upgraded tower simulator systems in 95 facilities by December 2025.
Serco partners with AATC to deliver training and mentoring for US ATC students
Posted 4 March 2024
SERCO has partnered with ADVANCED ATC (AATC) to provide recruiting and training to prospective air traffic controller candidates in the US, through a newly established mentoring programme.
The Air Traffic Control (ATC) certification programme is offered exclusively at AATC Academies. This programme will take successful Air Traffic Control students to the next step in employment with Serco in this one-of-a-kind partnership.
During the training all Serco mentored candidates will be trained by AATC instructors using Serco standard operating procedures. Upon successful completion of the ATC certification programme and final Serco review, the candidates will be offered employment at one of their ATC facilities.
In the United States, Serco currently supports 61 Air Traffic Control towers in 11 western states, including: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
SERCO’S EXPERIENCE includes managing the safe and efficient movement of commercial, general aviation and military aircraft on the airport and in the airspace surrounding the airport. The Company also provides RISK MANAGEMENT, QUALITY ASSURANCE and PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT to meet FAA service standards and quality metrics. Serco utilises its Aviation Safety Management System to improve safety and mitigate risks in the US National Airspace System.
Internationally, Serco is one of the largest contracted providers of Air Navigation Services worldwide. The Company is responsible for more than 960,000 cubic miles of airspace and handles more than seven million aircraft movements a year. Serco employs more than 700 air traffic control specialists at over 80 airports – located in the UK, US and Middle East – who help maintain flight safety.
