How to Become an Air Traffic Controller in Canada
So you want to become an air traffic controller? Good for you! This is an important, yet sometimes overlooked job, in the world of aviation. After all, though it’s the airplane pilots who are actually out there ferrying passengers and supplies around to different locations, air traffic controllers are the ones who make sure that those piloted planes don’t end up crashing into each other, a circumstance that would be highly damaging and even fatal for those involved.
As an air traffic controller, you’d be responsible for making sure that the airspace above your location is organized and controlled so that nothing untoward occurs. You will be using aircraft maintenance management solutions as as part of your daily operations. You’ll also work with others to track planes with radar, communicate with other air control centers, arrange for emergency services should a situation arise, and more!
Does all of that sound like something you’d be interested in? If so, keep reading to learn seven tips for becoming an air traffic controller. You may not be up in the skies yourself, but you’ll be keeping those who are safe to fly again.
Here are the seven tips on how to become an air traffic controller:
1. Have your citizenship or status as a landed immigrant
The first tip on how to become an air traffic controller is to have your citizenship fully processed. Not just anyone can become an air traffic controller. This is why it’s important that you be a Canadian citizen or a landed immigrant in order to even apply for the job. Now, this may rule you out, in which case we’re really sorry.
But don’t give up! Keep working toward that citizenship or that immigrant status and you could still be giving those pilots direction in a relatively short amount of time.
2. Be the correct age
So, just as there’s citizenship/immigration requirements for getting a job as an air traffic control person, there are also age requirements. In Canada, you’ll need to be at least eighteen years of age in order to even be considered for this job. However, if you’re a younger teen who really wants to become an air traffic control person, you don’t have to worry. Eighteen may seem far away, but it’s actually not. You’ll be there before you know it and your passion for the job may go far toward helping you get it.
3. Be able to speak in the correct languages
It’s pretty obvious that you need to be able to speak clearly and correctly when you’re an air traffic controller. After all, your voice is what you’ll use to give pilots direction as they come in for a landing or take off in flight. So if you have a speech impediment or you just have difficulty speaking clearly, you’ll want to take some speaking lessons in order to get your voice to where it needs to be. And the languages?
Well, you’ll need to be highly proficient in the English language (and both English and French if your controller job will be in the province of Quebec or in the city of Ottowa, Ontario). Have what it takes? Awesome!
4. Have finished Grade 12
This is a basic requirement for pretty much any job, and if you’re job hunting for something as cool and involved as ‘air traffic controller’, we feel reasonably confident that you have a Grade 12 education. Still, it does bear mentioning! If you don’t have a Grade 12 education yet, there are programs and classes available to make that happen for you.
5. Be able to see and hear well
Just as clear speaking is necessary for this job, being able to hear and see with clarity is important. Your eyes and ears are valuable tools for pretty much any part of life–but they are really, really useful as an air traffic controller. Without good hearing, you’ll have difficulty understanding what information pilots and other people relay to you. And without good vision, you’ll have a hard time accomplishing many other areas of your job.
6. Be able to pass a security clearance check
Airports don’t want people who are security risks to work for them, for rather obvious reasons. That’s why it’s imperative that you be able to pass a security clearance check with flying colors. Have some stuff in your past that would disqualify you? Unfortunately, it’s best not to even apply.
Additionally, you should make sure that you’re clean when it comes to drugs (even cannabis). Again, if you know you won’t pass a drug test, it’s probably best not to bother applying.
7. Be passionate about the job
You could meet all of the above requirements with ease, but if you’re not passionate about becoming an air traffic controller then, really, why are you even thinking of applying? You don’t want to be stuck with a job that you don’t like (or even hate). Yes, sometimes sacrifices have to be made in order to pay the bills and keep food on the table.
At the end of the day, if you can choose a career that you’re excited about, please do! Becoming an air traffic controller is great–and we want you to do it for the right reasons, because it’s something you’ve wanted to get involved with for a while.
