Air traffic controllers can have different paths to their career, with previous experience and education being important factors. A degree in aviation or air traffic management may be required for those without work experience. Government organizations, such as the FAA in the US, oversee the employment of air traffic controllers and partner with schools to establish a diploma program. Health and safety tests and age requirements may also apply.
The best grade for an air traffic controller depends a lot on the kind of experience and expertise he or she may already have. Someone who has previous experience in this field, like a person coming out of the military, probably needs very little additional training or education. A person entering this field with no experience, however, should look for a program in air or air traffic management, which can offer a two-year or four-year degree. Schools that offer a degree for an air traffic controller are usually affiliated with a specific agency, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US.
There are a few different paths one can take to become an air traffic controller and not all of them require a degree. The process can depend on the country someone wants to work in, although previous experience and education is very important in most areas. In the US, for example, someone who worked professionally in air traffic control before looking for a job doesn’t need a college degree. This includes someone with military experience, who gained training and worked in air traffic control before seeking civilian employment in that field.
People who lack work experience, however, may need a college degree to enter this field. The best degree for an air traffic controller is usually one that focuses on aviation or air traffic management, depending on the name of the program the school offers. Some colleges offer a two-year program that culminates in an associate’s degree, while other universities offer a program that awards students with a bachelor’s degree after four years of study.
In some countries, such as the US, a government organization may be responsible for overseeing the employment of air traffic controllers. The Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, in the US, is responsible for testing future controllers. Different schools partner with the FAA to establish a diploma for an air traffic controller.
Some US colleges with this type of program are part of the Air Traffic Training Initiative (ATCTI). A school in partnership with the FAA can offer an ATCTI diploma for an air traffic controller that may be required to enter this field. The National Air Traffic Services (NATS) in the UK, on the other hand, employ and train air traffic controllers, providing a rigorous program for student certification.
A combination of education and work experience may be required in some countries, such as the US. Completion of a diploma for an air traffic controller, however, may reduce the prior experience required. Anyone considering this career must also meet other standards, such as commonly administered health and safety tests. In the US, applicants generally must be under 31 years of age to become an air traffic controller with no previous experience.
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