In a bid to accelerate air traffic controller hiring following concerns of staffing shortage, the US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced plans to “supercharge” hiring. According to Reuters, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) is approximately 3,500 fully certified air traffic controllers under targeted staffing levels.
The FAA says it plans to make it “more efficient than ever to apply and more affordable to begin training.”
The air traffic controller hiring window was opened by the FAA yesterday until 17th March, encouraging the “best and brightest” to pursue this career. With a new streamlined process, the FAA will:
- Recruit top candidates through a merit-based process
- Give candidates with the highest Air Traffic Skills Assessment Test (ATSA) scores priority to the Academy
- Increase starting salaries by 30 per cent for Academy trainees
- Reduce the 8-step hiring process at the FAA to 5-steps cutting 4 months off the process.
Speaking on the initiative, Duffy said:
“Today’s visit reaffirmed how being an air traffic controller is one of the best, most rewarding jobs in America, and that the next generation at the Academy is the best in the world. I witnessed first hand the dedication, skill, and rigor that our future air traffic controllers bring to their training and the urgent need to do all that we can to recruit more people to join in our shared mission of safety in our skies. This staffing shortage has been a known challenge for over a decade, and this administration is committed to solving it. The new streamlined hiring process is just the first step to deliver on President Trump’s agenda to prioritize the American people’s safety and modernize the federal government.”
This year, Aerospace Tech Week Europe are launching a Recruitment Zone where recruiters and talent acquisition teams can host a digital job board, meet with candidates, and hold interviews in the room. With over 2,500 people in the room from students to CEOs, make the most of the networking opportunities available and book your ticket now.
For more like this see:
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