DFS, the German air navigation service provider, is happy to welcome 38 new trainees and students to the company for the start of the training year in October. This number includes so-called dual students, who will complete a degree with multiple interlocking work placements at DFS. Some of the student air traffic controllers complete a work-and-study degree programme, others will go through the classical air traffic controller training. In addition, dual students can also start their careers in IT or engineering.
There are 22 dual students in air traffic management, engineering and IT degree programmes in addition to 16 fledging air traffic controllers who are also beginning their training this October. Training courses to become an air traffic controller start throughout the year at intervals of a few weeks. In the year to date, DFS has already recruited more than 100 young people for air traffic controller training, and this number will increase to 136 by the end of the year. Currently, 300 young people are undergoing training or dual studies at the DFS Academy in Langen.
Training for prospective air traffic controllers is running at full-bore
The career to become an air traffic controller starts at the DFS Academy in Langen, located between Darmstadt and Frankfurt. "There is a great need for new recruits," reported Otto Fischer, Director of the Air Navigation Services Academy: "We expect the strong recovery in traffic volumes to continue. That is what we are preparing for. Our training programme is running at full-bore." Suitable candidates for the air traffic controller profession should be no older than 24 years, have a university entrance qualification from secondary school and be able to communicate confidently in German and English.
Dual courses of study at DFS
For those who also want to acquire business knowledge during their training, DFS offers the dual course of study to become an air traffic controller. "In cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences Worms, DFS offers the dual bachelor's degree programme in air traffic management. By combining air traffic controller training with business studies, graduates acquire a bachelor's degree in addition to their air traffic controller licence within a very short time," said Sonja Konur, Head of Training, Recruiting & HR Marketing.
Dual students in the engineering and IT degree programmes will ensure a stable technical infrastructure, accurate radar technology and trouble-free electronic communication as part of their aviation careers as future air navigation services engineers and computer scientists. The students receive their scientific training at the University of Applied Sciences in Darmstadt and their technical expertise through work placements at DFS.
"In addition to air traffic controllers, there is a growing need for engineers to maintain our instrument landing systems or radar systems as well as for IT specialists to further develop air traffic control software and make it cloud-ready," said Otto Fischer.
Apply now for the start of training in 2023
Anyone interested in starting a career at DFS can apply for the start of studies and training next year. The courses for air traffic controller training start throughout the year at intervals of a few weeks. In addition, there are free starting places for the dual degree programmes in air traffic management, computer science (both bachelor of science) and air navigation services engineering (bachelor of engineering). All information about the application procedure and training opportunities can be found on the DFS careers site. For those fluent in German, you can also register for online events such as the DFS taster day (Schnuppertag) or the job application coaching for school pupils. DFS offers online events for interested parents. www.karriere.dfs.de (available in English)
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Media contact:
Kristina Kelek
Tel.: 06103-707-4161
E-Mail: presse@dfs.de
DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH, the German air navigation service provider, is a State-owned company under private law with 5,600 employees as at 30 June 2022. DFS ensures the safe and punctual flow of air traffic over Germany. Around 2,200 air traffic controllers guide more than three million flights through German airspace in peak years, up to 10,000 every day. The company operates control centres in Bremen, Karlsruhe, Langen and Munich as well as control towers at the 15 designated international airports in Germany. The subsidiary DFS Aviation Services GmbH markets and sells products and services related to air navigation services, and provides air traffic control at nine regional airports in Germany and at London Gatwick Airport and Edinburgh Airport in the UK. DFS is working on the integration of drones into air traffic and has set up a joint venture, Droniq GmbH, with Deutsche Telekom. Other subsidiaries include R. Eisenschmidt GmbH, which markets publications and products for general aviation, and Kaufbeuren ATM Training GmbH (KAT), which provides training for military air traffic services personnel. The joint venture FCS Flight Calibration Services GmbH offers flight inspection services. www.dfs.de