NJ Awards $3.5M to Build Pipeline of Air Traffic Controllers
The New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) announced the awarding of $3.5 million under the New Jersey Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (NJ AT-CTI) grant program. The grants are designed to grow the pipeline of aerospace professionals from New Jersey, primarily in civil aviation fields, and address a deepening national shortage of certified air traffic controllers.
To address workforce training needs, the FAA operates the Air-Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) in partnership with accredited colleges and universities that offer FAA-aligned aviation curricula. Graduates of AT-CTI programs are eligible to bypass some of the standard FAA Academy requirements, which helps accelerate their path into on-the-job training. Eligibility for the state NJ AT-CTI grant was contingent on active participation or plans to join the network of approved federal AT-CTI partner institutions.
Three public institutions of higher education from across the state were selected for NJ AT-CTI grants: Atlantic Cape Community College and Kean University are each awarded $1.5 million, and Warren County Community College is awarded $500,000.
“New Jersey public colleges and universities are critical to developing the next generation of aviation professionals and setting students up for a lifetime of advancement beyond their first job,” said Acting Secretary of Higher Education Margo Chaly. “By supporting institutions to build programs and enhance training opportunities that feed into FAA certification pathways, we are developing routes into well-paying, stable careers for residents who will serve New Jersey and the nation over the decades to come.”
The awarded institutions will leverage existing partnerships and their developing expertise to build out aviation and aerospace programming.
Atlantic Cape Community College will utilize funding to upgrade and expand the scope of its current FAA Standard Collegiate Training Initiative partnership to become an Enhanced AT-CTI partner. The college’s project will also support the development of additional FAA-aligned curriculum, advanced simulation training and dedicated instructional capacity.