“We prepare our students carefully for their future role”
Training to become an air traffic controller is challenging and the course covers both theoretical and practical skills.
- December 10, 2024
- 3 Min. reading time
- Sponsored by: Skyguide
An interview with Patric Burri, Head of Operational Recruitment and Training, about the training course for the Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Air Traffic Control.
Patric Burri, why should young people become air traffic controllers?
Air traffic controllers are responsible for the safety of thousands of passengers every day. The sense of responsibility and the awareness that many people are relying on you can be incredibly fulfilling. There are opportunities for promotion, which include supervisory and training roles. These bring an even greater feeling of professional satisfaction and open up prospects for the future.
Will this profession soon be replaced by AI?
The rapid developments in the field of AI may make it possible to automate certain processes and support air traffic controllers in their work, but the ability to make complex decisions is not based entirely on a rational approach. Human beings can bring intuition and personal experience into the decision-making process alongside logic. This means that AI will not be able to replace the multi-layered abilities of human beings.
Who makes up the target group of potential air traffic controllers?
We are looking for people who want to take action! People with a pragmatic approach who enjoy making decisions and have flexible minds. They must also be reliable and responsible and have a fundamental interest in aviation.
How does Skyguide prepare the holders of the Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Air Traffic Control for their highly responsible role?
We prepare our students carefully for their future responsibilities. As well as learning the theoretical principles, they also receive ongoing training in the practical skills. As the complexity gradually increases, so too does their personal capacity.
What are the key features of the training?
The training course for air traffic controllers is modular and takes a highly practical approach. The use of gamification allows students to understand the theoretical principles right from the start and the integration of reflective learning concepts meets the requirements of a modern learning experience. The Skyguide Academy has realistic radar and tower simulators where the first part of the practical training takes place. After only around 15 months, students move over into the operational area where their training continues alongside experienced coaches.
What challenges can occur during the course?
Progress on a demanding course like this one rarely takes a linear form. It is quite normal for the students’ performance to vary across the individual phases or for their development to come to a halt for a short period. This is where students need resilience and the ability but also the determination not to give up after failed attempts and to continue to work towards their goal. Of course, we provide the students with the best possible support during this process.
How important is the role of personal coaches in these cases?
It is essential for the students to be able to benefit from the experience and the support of experienced coaches. They have all completed the course themselves and understand only too well the stumbling blocks and difficulties that students can encounter.
Skyguide has stated that its goal is to ensure that all the suitable candidates are successful. Why is this?
This is partly because Skyguide is heavily dependent on the next generation of air traffic controllers so that it can continue to provide air navigation services in Switzerland in future. There is also a simple financial reason: the training of each student costs Skyguide around CHF 800,000. We are therefore under an obligation to take great care of our students.
Training to become an air traffic controller
- A 30-month full-time course leading to an Advanced Federal Diploma
- Free training with an attractive salary
- A three-stage course: basic, rating and unit training (at the student’s future workplace)
- Teaching language: English
- Requirements: baccalaureate or apprenticeship with a Federal Vocational Diploma, strong sense of responsibility, ability to multi-task
- Maximum age at the start of the course: 28
- Next course starts: September 2025
- Applications: ongoing
For more information: www.skyguide.ch/future
