Rep. Bera Highlights Sacramento City College Program Addressing National Air Traffic Controller Shortage

MATHER, CA - On Monday, Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) joined leaders from the Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento County, and the aviation industry at Mather Airport to celebrate Sacramento City College's (SCC) progress toward becoming one of the nation's only dual-certified Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) programs.

The press conference came ahead of a pivotal Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) site visit this week to evaluate the college's air traffic control training program. Upon final approval, Sacramento City College would be the first Enhanced AT-CTI program on the West Coast, and one of only two institutions in the country with dual certification to train students for both tower and en route air traffic control careers. The FAA approval process has been a complex and highly technical undertaking more than two years in the making.

The Enhanced AT-CTI designation would allow qualified SCC students to bypass the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, complete their training and certification at the college, and be hired directly into FAA tower or en route facilities. This development comes as the nation faces a severe shortage of certified air traffic controllers due to an aging workforce and training backlogs - a challenge underscored by the recent government shutdown.

"This is a big win for our region," said Representative Bera. "Once approved, Sacramento City College would be one of only two places in the country where students can complete their entire air traffic control training without having to relocate. That would make this good-paying career path more affordable and accessible for local students, while helping to address a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers. I'm excited to see SCC on the verge of final certification and to further cement Sacramento County's position as a leader in aviation workforce development."

"As we near the finish line and FAA approval, I could not be more proud of our dedicated faculty who have invested hundreds of hours developing curriculum and simulator scenarios," said Sacramento City College Dean of Technology and Innovation Paul Estabrook. "But most of all, I am excited about the incredible opportunities this program will create for our students and the future of aviation in the region."

"For a student like me, who relies on my local support system and has lived here all my life, this relocation [to Oklahoma City] creates a significant financial and stressful burden - a massive hurdle that comes on top of the already demanding academic stress," said Karyme Perez, a student in Sacramento City College's Air Traffic Control Program. "The biggest personal benefit for me is the complete relief of the relocation requirement. This program gives me a direct pipeline. I can complete my training, pass my assessments, and then proceed directly to on-the-job training at a local facility, such as the Sacramento International Airport Tower."

"This milestone strengthens Sacramento's role in training the aviation workforce our country needs," said Director of Airports for Sacramento County Cindy Nichol. "It's also an important step toward addressing the nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers that affects Sacramento International, Mather and Sacramento Executive airports, and enhances their ability to be an economic engine for our region."