The Federal Aviation Administration is recruiting its next generation of air traffic controllers from an unlikely talent pool: video gamers.
WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration wants video game players to “level up” and apply to become air traffic controllers.
The splashy new campaign, including an ad targeted at video game players, comes ahead of the opening of the annual air traffic control hiring window on April 17. The FAA has been battling a stubborn shortage of air traffic controllers, hit by retirements and pandemic slowdowns.
The FAA highlights skills gamers already use, including quick thinking, focus and managing complex situations under pressure.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shared the ad on X Friday.
“To reach the next generation of air traffic controllers, we need to adapt. This campaign’s innovative communication style and focus on gaming taps into a growing demographic of young adults who have many of the hard skills it takes to be a successful controller,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said in a statement.
On the hiring website, the FAA leans into the gaming tactics, reframing job requirements as “mission requirements” and dangling “high score rewards” for joining the team.
To become an air traffic controller, the agency says one must be a U.S. citizen, under 31 years of age and speak fluent English.
As the “high score rewards,” the FAA touts a six-figure salaries totaling more than $155,000 after three years of Academy graduation, paid academy training and a “legendary” benefits package.
“Safety is the FAA’s top priority, and that starts with hiring top talent and equipping them with world-class tools,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said on Friday. “We need the best people, the best training, and the best tools because we expect the best results.”
CNN Newsource contributed to this report.