TAMPA, Fla. — Following a tragic plane crash in Washington, D.C., a Bay area college is working to address the industry’s staffing shortage.

“We don’t know what the situation really is until the TSB and FAA tell us what happened,” Randy Clayton, control tower operator and instructor, said.

“We can’t say it’s a manning issue, but what we can say is that the manning shortfalls do put pressure on the system. We need to make sure that, if it was a manning shortfall or stress from overwork, we need to fill those slots and get people in those positions.”

Clayton is looking to fill those vacancies through Traviss Technical College’s new Air Traffic Control Academy. The 10-month program will be held at the Bartow Executive Airport as part of its partnership with the accredited school.

“This is where, whenever we’re doing all of our term exams and things like that, this is where our students will be,” he said, pointing to an empty classroom.

Classes are set to begin on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Once students complete the course, they must be verified by a control tower operator examiner, who will determine if they’re qualified for a certificate through the FAA.

“Then you’ll be able to go to the FCTs and NFCTs that we have associations with,” Clayton said. “They’ll plug you into their system, another rotation, you start to get qualified, and join the community.”

He says hopefully this will help end the industry’s years-long employee shortage and reduce worker burnout.

“We really want those people to have longevity when it comes to controlling, and this will help that out so they can get more time off, a better work-life ratio, and you know, all of my friends and family who are controllers will be able to continue doing what they’re doing and actually enjoy life,” Clayton said.

View information on joining Traviss Technical College’s Air Traffic Control Academy.