FAA Seeks Video Gamers to Address Air Traffic Controller Shortage

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is launching a campaign to recruit video gamers as the next generation of air traffic controllers, starting April 17. With 11,000 controllers currently employed and 4,000 in training, the agency faces a significant staffing shortage exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and other market trends. The FAA's initiative aims to attract young adults with skills honed through gaming, offering incentives such as paid training and potential earnings exceeding $155,000 after three years. The recruitment effort follows a previous campaign in 2021 and is part of a broader modernization plan to enhance air traffic control technology. Interested candidates must apply before the FAA reaches 8,000 applications, after which the hiring process will commence.

Key Details: • Applications open on April 17, 2023. • FAA currently has 11,000 controllers and needs thousands more. • Candidates can earn over $155,000 after three years of service. • The recruitment window closes after 8,000 applications are received.