Aviation training company CAE is partnering with Nav Canada to tackle the growing shortage of air traffic controllers in a first-of-its-kind training program which is expected to launch later this month.
The training program will see CAE provide initial training for Nav Canada’s recruits and is part of the Canadian ANSP’s response to an increasing demand for air traffic controllers. It also marks a significant departure for the ATC sector and ANSPs, which for the most part have trained their controllers in-house.
However, the need for new controllers is only growing. Examples of controller shortages impacting ANSPs globally can be easily found. Perhaps the most often reported is the FAA’s shortfall of 3,000 controllers, which has led the agency to reduce the capacity offered to airlines in the Washington DC and New York areas.
Last year CAE published an aviation talent forecast that predicts a need for 1.3 million aviation professionals by 2030. The forecast initially focused on pilots, maintenance technicians, and cabin crew. But speaking at the Farnborough International Air Show earlier this year, Marie-Christine Cloutier, vice president of civil strategy, performance and marketing at CAE, said industry feedback from the report had also highlighted a significant gap in air traffic controller training.
Hiring spree
With ANSPs rushing to recruit controllers, there is a growing need for providers to step in and assist with training programs. In March CAE signed an agreement with Nav Canada that will see the training and simulator company train around 550 recruits between October 2024 and 2028.
CAE will provide classroom and simulator sessions as part of a course that lasts around three to six months. Each cadre will be between 30 to 40 students with training delivered via on-location instruction with Nav Canada.
The ANSP will remain responsible for recruitment. "When students enter our facility, they are already Nav Canada employees," said Cloutier.
CAE has renovated part of its business aircraft training centre at its campus in Montreal to accommodate the new program. The facility features specialized simulators with computer screens up to almost 180 degrees, with specific functionality. The screens mimic the displays controllers will use in ATC towers.
CAE aims to optimize the training process while using Nav Canada's existing curriculum and simulator suppliers. "We are bringing our expertise in recruiting instructors and applying our science and technology learning experience to enhance training efficacy and reduce training time," Cloutier said.
"We have gained almost three weeks out of a three-month training period based on scheduling improvements already.”
What’s the scenario
The training emphasizes scenario-based content. Students learn to manage multiple aircraft at various altitudes, developing critical decision-making skills.
A significant challenge in ATCO training is the pass rate. CAE hopes to improve this through efficient scheduling of remedial training and leveraging data-driven insights using a tool called CAERise: “It’s a grading tool that generates data and analytics," Cloutier said. "It helps assess how students compare to their peers and industry standards."
While the current partnership focuses on Nav Canada, CAE sees potential for global expansion and the company has a dedicated team focusing on business development in the ATC sector. The company’s global footprint puts it in a good position to help address air traffic controller shortages worldwide and it can offer various levels of partnership, from courseware modernization to managing entire training operations.
CAE also works closely with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance. For the Nav Canada project, Transport Canada is auditing the facility before it opens. Cloutier said, "We are familiar with the various regulatory bodies from our pilot and maintenance training programs and this experience will help us develop air traffic controller training globally."
As air travel increases, the demand for qualified air traffic controllers has never been more critical. CAE's initiative with Nav Canada could be a significant step towards addressing this industry-wide challenge.
As the program progresses, industry observers will likely monitor its effectiveness closely. The results could inform future training initiatives and potentially influence regulatory approaches to air traffic controller certification. For CAE, this venture into air traffic controller training represents a significant expansion of its portfolio and could open new avenues for growth in the aviation training sector.