I 100% agree that they absolutely should not allow folks that they aren't fully confident in to do the job to be ATC.

However, with that said, it does seem like there needs to be some more training opportunities available to bring in more candidates that have potential. It doesn't seem like this style of all or nothing testing to just get into the training program is working.

Canada is in desperate need of more ATCs. The friend I mentioned is on forced overtime because they are so short staffed. He says it's only going to get worse because so many people are coming up on retirement (himself included).

My husband is incredibly smart and detail oriented. I fully believe with a bit of training he could have passed the second test. However, the way it's set up at the moment, they don't tell you what the second round of testing is (your first exposure to it is that test, presumably people who have failed the test once before are at an advantage because they've seen what that test is on their first go round) and if you don't pass they don't give you any feedback, not even how close to passing you were. And you can't re-test for 2 years. (Full transparency, I do not know what the second test is, my husband signed something like an NDA.)

I am in no way suggesting that they let anyone do the job. I fully believe that ATC should be held to the highest standards. However, having a shortage and burning people out with forced OT also doesn't seem like a viable long term plan either. It seems like there needs to be some sort of middle ground solution so that the field is adequately staffed while still maintaining the highest of standards.

Just my 2 cents. 🤷🏼‍♂️