The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that Sacramento City College will join the Federal Aviation Administration’s Enhanced Air Traffic – Collegiate Training Initiative (E-CTI) program. This makes it the first college in California to participate and marks the tenth new CTI program added under Secretary Sean P. Duffy’s efforts to address air traffic controller shortages.
The initiative is part of broader measures by the Trump Administration aimed at modernizing the air traffic controller workforce, including raising starting salaries and streamlining hiring procedures. According to the department, these actions have enabled the FAA to surpass its Fiscal Year 2025 hiring goal by onboarding 2,026 new controllers.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy stated, “The addition of new schools to our air controller pipeline will allow us to bolster our controller workforce while maintaining the highest training standards. We are moving at the Speed of Trump to address the decades-long air traffic controller shortage and bring about the Golden Age of Travel.”
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford commented on the importance of partnerships with educational institutions: “The E-CTI program shows how the FAA is innovating to meet critical workforce needs. By partnering with colleges, we’re preparing the next generation of air traffic controllers and ensuring we have the skilled professionals needed to keep our skies safe. We will continue to recruit the best and brightest, because their work is critical to our safety mission.”
Students enrolled in E-CTI programs who successfully complete both performance and written assessments receive an endorsement certificate, which allows them to apply for a position as an air traffic controller at an FAA facility if they also pass medical, security requirements, and an aptitude-based Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA). The agreement with Sacramento City College specifically involves its En Route program; successful graduates may be placed in a FAA Air Route Traffic Control Center.
In addition, experienced controllers from military or private industry backgrounds can apply year-round for positions with the FAA. The agency continues investing in advanced simulators designed to provide trainees with realistic scenarios that enhance their preparation for operational duties.
