Education

You need a Leaving Certificate with 5 passes (including Maths) with Grade C in at least 2 Higher Level Papers. The educational standard required is a minimum of Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications Ireland (NFQ). An equivalent second level qualification may be acceptable but it must include Mathematically based subjects.  The Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the single structure mechanism for recognising all education and training in Ireland. Further details are available on www.qqi.ie.

The Irish Education System has changed in recent years. Below please find a chart to assist with clarifying your eligibility for application purposes.

Candidates who claim eligibility through the holding of other awards. including foreign qualifications that signify at least comparable learning, will have the validity of their qualifications assessed by NARIC Ireland on behalf of QQI.

Further details are available on www.naric.ie 

Note on Student Controller Programme 

With effect from 1st July 2024, our Student Controllers will receive a student allowance of €368 per week for the duration of training, until the commencement of On the Job Training (OJTI).

Successful applicants will undergo a Training Programme of approximately 16 months duration, based initially at AirNav Ireland's Training Centre at Ballycasey, Shannon, Co. Clare and subsequently at one of the three State Airports (Dublin, Shannon and Cork).

If you successfully complete the Programme, including an attainment of an ICAO rating (licence) you may be offered appointment as an Air Traffic Controller. Salary for such is based on an incremental scale.

Where you accept an offer of employment as an Air Traffic Controller with AirNav Ireland and you subsequently serve for less than 4 years you will be required to repay training costs and this will form part of your contract of employment.

Where following completion of training you receive an offer of employment as an Air Traffic Controller with AirNav Ireland and you refuse the position, you will be liable to repay training costs of €85,000.

Students will incur no liability for training costs in the following circumstances:

• Where they have their training contract terminated by AirNav Ireland.
• Where they terminate their training contract prior to the achievement of a rating.
• Where they are not offered employment with AirNav Ireland.

In the event of your being offered a position on the Student Controller Programme, you will be required to confirm your acceptance of the salary and other conditions applying to the post of Air Traffic Controller with AirNav Ireland, in advance of your participation on the programme.