Representative Ami Bera making speech in front of cameras at Dec. 8 event.

 

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Representative Ami Bera gathered with leaders of the Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento County and regional aviation on Monday, Dec. 8 at the Modern Aviation Terminal Building to recognize Sacramento City College’s (SCC) progress toward becoming an enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI).

Pending the final approval by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Sacramento City College would be one of only two institutions in the nation to have dual certification for students to train for both tower and en route air traffic control.

This major milestone gives students a chance to complete the Federal Aviation Administration training in Sacramento instead of needing to travel to Oklahoma City where the Federal Aviation Administration Academy is located, providing students with benefits while attending school and a chance to be hired upon graduation.   

Representative Ami Bera talking with Karyme Perez and her parents.

          

Adjunct Professor in the Air Traffic Department at Sacramento City College Sean Tener said, “We are helping California advance their economic growth by providing education and training that continuously contributes to the work force.”              

Lower costs, local training and the opportunity to use financial aid towards their careers are some of the benefits students enrolled in Sacramento City College’s enhanced aviation program receive.

Students are also given a chance to make personal connections with their instructors. They are given three semesters to absorb the needed information from the same instructors at Sacramento City College, while the academy gives the students only four months to learn the information from multiple instructors.      

Representative Ami Bera said, “It’s incredibly important that we have well trained aircraft controllers keeping us safe and confident in the skies.”        

Bera understands how important it is to have air traffic controllers as he flies back and forth across the country on a weekly basis, especially during the government shutdown.

Sacramento City College Student Karyme Perez talking about new enhanced aviation programs at Sacramento City College.

                               

With the shutdown and the shortage of controllers there are some instances where cargo needs to divert to Reno or the Bay before being transported to Sacramento.                    

Karyme Perez, who is in the Air Traffic Control Program at Sacramento City College, said, “The government shutdown made me even more motivated as a student. Seeing how much this affects us as a nation and the shortage of the controllers that are needed right now, I feel students like me are even more motivated to be able to do this career and help out the community.”                 

Upon approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, the opportunity to pursue a career in aviation is going to be more accessible than ever before.