So, are you cut out to be an air traffic controller (ATC)? Here are the perks: it offers among the most lucrative wages in the civil service plus all the benefits, and you only clock in an average of 15 days a month and never need to take your work home.
Sounds like a sweet deal.
But the catch is that you must be the sort that doesn’t buckle under intense pressure, can think on your feet and make snap decisions, and a team player.
Currently, Malaysia has 661 licensed ATCs whose ages range from the early 20s to 63. Altogether, 967 people are required. This means 192 posts are still vacant, says Ahmad Nizar Zolfakar, director of the Air Traffic Management Sector of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA). “The current number of ATCs is enough to cater to our day-to-day operations. However, controllers need to attend refresher training and courses for career development. It’s difficult to find staffers to cover the shifts when some ATCs are sent for training,” says Ahmad Nizar
To qualify for an ATC post, you need to be a diploma or degree holder in any field. Once accepted, you have to undergo 66 weeks of training at Malaysia Aviation Academy (Mava). A three- or four- month, on-the-job training at operation rooms will follow before a trainee goes for exams. If you pass with flying colours, you will get your ATC licence.
A word of advice from ATC Sahrol Nizal: “Prepare yourself mentally as the initial training demands a lot from you. Lots of people drop out halfway because they can’t cope with the subjects and the stress (even while in training). You have to be really determined!”
Entry-level wage for a diploma-holder is around RM2,400, and RM3,000 for a degree- holder. An ATC with five years’ experience can expect to take home between RM3,200 and RM4,300 plus medical and housing perks and overtime allowances. Beyond the pay and perks, most long-time ATCs stay on because of the thrill and sense of pride they derive from their jobs.
“I love the challenge. It’s no longer stressful once you’re seasoned at it,” says Sim Mong Heong, 61. Sim retired at the age of 56 but rejoined DCA on a contract basis.
“When you’re dealing with so many planes coming in all at once but you take all of them as near as possible and have enough separation and no delays, you’ve done a great job.”
“You have to love aviation to take on the job,” adds Nagayaindran S. Narayanan who has 30 years of traffic control experience under his belt. “Mistakes are unforgiving, the hours are ungodly, the weather messes up your plans and the money doesn’t commensurate with the risk . . .
“But at the end of the day, the job satisfaction trumps it all. You either love it or hate it, never in between. The choice is yours!”
■ If you’re interested in becoming an ATC, visit the Public Service Commission website to check vacancies and to apply online: http://www.spa.gov.my/ Or visit http://www.dca.gov.my/ tel: (03) 8871 4000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sounds like a sweet deal.
But the catch is that you must be the sort that doesn’t buckle under intense pressure, can think on your feet and make snap decisions, and a team player.
Currently, Malaysia has 661 licensed ATCs whose ages range from the early 20s to 63. Altogether, 967 people are required. This means 192 posts are still vacant, says Ahmad Nizar Zolfakar, director of the Air Traffic Management Sector of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA). “The current number of ATCs is enough to cater to our day-to-day operations. However, controllers need to attend refresher training and courses for career development. It’s difficult to find staffers to cover the shifts when some ATCs are sent for training,” says Ahmad Nizar
To qualify for an ATC post, you need to be a diploma or degree holder in any field. Once accepted, you have to undergo 66 weeks of training at Malaysia Aviation Academy (Mava). A three- or four- month, on-the-job training at operation rooms will follow before a trainee goes for exams. If you pass with flying colours, you will get your ATC licence.
A word of advice from ATC Sahrol Nizal: “Prepare yourself mentally as the initial training demands a lot from you. Lots of people drop out halfway because they can’t cope with the subjects and the stress (even while in training). You have to be really determined!”
Entry-level wage for a diploma-holder is around RM2,400, and RM3,000 for a degree- holder. An ATC with five years’ experience can expect to take home between RM3,200 and RM4,300 plus medical and housing perks and overtime allowances. Beyond the pay and perks, most long-time ATCs stay on because of the thrill and sense of pride they derive from their jobs.
“I love the challenge. It’s no longer stressful once you’re seasoned at it,” says Sim Mong Heong, 61. Sim retired at the age of 56 but rejoined DCA on a contract basis.
“When you’re dealing with so many planes coming in all at once but you take all of them as near as possible and have enough separation and no delays, you’ve done a great job.”
“You have to love aviation to take on the job,” adds Nagayaindran S. Narayanan who has 30 years of traffic control experience under his belt. “Mistakes are unforgiving, the hours are ungodly, the weather messes up your plans and the money doesn’t commensurate with the risk . . .
“But at the end of the day, the job satisfaction trumps it all. You either love it or hate it, never in between. The choice is yours!”
■ If you’re interested in becoming an ATC, visit the Public Service Commission website to check vacancies and to apply online: http://www.spa.gov.my/ Or visit http://www.dca.gov.my/ tel: (03) 8871 4000
So anyone interesed to join and take the challenge. I still in the early stage and have a long way to go and to experience.......... :)
Jana
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