Airservices graduates 39 new controllers

Air traffic controllers graduate in Melbourne — The 39 graduates have already joined 1,000 colleagues at locations across Australia. (Airservices)

Airservices graduated 39 trainee air traffic controllers in January. Having achieved their diploma of aviation (air traffic control) at Airservices’ Learning Academy in Melbourne, the recruits have now been posted to towers and control centres across the country.

Airservices executive general manager air traffic control Jason Harfield said this lastest group of controllers would play a key role in managing the rapid growth of air traffic predicted to occur in Australia by 2020 and beyond.

“It also represents a significant milestone as we prepare for the retirement of a significant number of our workforce over the next five to ten years,” Harfield added.

The graduates will join a workforce of around 1,000 controllers who are stationed at 28 control towers, four terminal control units and two enroute centres.