NE North Dakota News

Students graduating from the University of North Dakota's (UND) Air Traffic Management program will soon enter the workforce more quickly due to a new initiative by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). On December 9, the FAA announced UND's acceptance into its Enhanced Air Traffic - Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program. This development allows graduates to bypass the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, which was previously mandatory for all prospective air traffic controllers.

Senator John Hoeven, R-N.D., instrumental in advancing this program, highlighted that requiring attendance at the FAA Academy created a "bottleneck" in hiring and contributed to a shortage of air traffic controllers. He emphasized UND's role: “Today, we reach an exciting milestone in our efforts to address the air traffic controller shortage, while ensuring UND continues to lead the way across the board when it comes to aviation."

The Enhanced AT-CTI program is part of an effort to increase staffing in control towers nationwide. Starting in spring 2025, UND students can proceed directly into employment after graduation. Hoeven noted this change as "an incredible value to students and a benefit to communities across that country."

UND joins Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Tulsa Community College, and the University of Oklahoma as early members of this initiative. The university is also part of the existing Air Traffic College Training Initiative with 31 other institutions. This original program reduces academy time by five weeks; however, under the enhanced version, graduates can skip the entire 16-week course.

Robert Kraus, dean of Aerospace at UND, affirmed the university's longstanding commitment to aerospace education excellence. “Since graduating its first air traffic controllers in 1971, UND Aerospace has more than 50 years of experience,” Kraus stated.

After completing their studies at UND, graduates must pass several assessments and meet medical and security requirements before working in control towers or other authorized environments.

Craig Carlson, assistant chair of UND’s Air Traffic Management program, praised those who established the Enhanced AT-CTI program. He expressed optimism about providing qualified graduates to help alleviate current shortages: “This program is just what we need to grow the workforce and keep air passengers safe.”