PublishedJuly 28, 2022, 9:09 PM
SuisseAt the air traffic controllers, recruits are desired
The company responsible for air traffic control fears that it will run out of staff from 2024.
Last year, Skyguide air traffic controllers supervised more than 92,000 take-offs and landings at Geneva airport. To this end, around 60 people work daily in the company’s control tower responsible for all flight operations in Switzerland. In total, no less than 562 air traffic controllers operate in 14 sites across the country.
However, they could miss the call in 2024. “We have trouble recruiting, especially in Geneva. It’s particularly marked this year”, confides the CEO, Alex Bristol. As proof, the eleven vacant places – out of sixteen – in the course which will begin shortly to train new recruits from the end of the lake.
“Aviation is no longer a dream”
In order to stem the phenomenon, the company, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, is trying to understand where this disinterest comes from. For Christian, 23 years of service at Skyguide, “perhaps aviation is no longer a dream”. The pandemic hasn’t helped either. “We have fallen behind in recruitment,” explains Prisca Huguenin-dit-Lenoir. The spokesperson specifies that nearly 300 controllers must be hired in the next five years to maintain the workforce.
A big challenge
In order to attract applicants, Skyguide has taken certain measures. Among them, the increase in remuneration paid during training. From now on, apprentices will receive 4000 fr. instead of 2000 the first year. The company is also more proactive and goes more to meet potential recruits to extol the merits of “a little-known profession”, according to Marius, who has been practicing it for seven years.
However, this job offers several advantages, believes the CEO of Skyguide, such as “retirement at 60 – previously 56 –, an attractive salary, a good pace and a less monotonous job”. In its quest for personnel, the company also relies on female recruits and wants to increase the percentage of female needle workers. Currently, they represent about 20% of employees.