$95k for four-day week: Jobs go begging at Airways
New Zealand’s state-owned air traffic control company is desperately looking for candidates to fill jobs paying $95,000 for four-day working weeks.
Airways’ air traffic services general manager, Tim Boyle, said it expected to fill up to 10 air traffic control positions in 2019, but finding the right people for the job was not easy.
‘‘We are currently recruiting and would love to hear from anyone who think they might have what it takes,’’ Boyle said.
‘‘A lot of different people will have the capabilities – we just don’t see enough of them.’’
A new controller typically earns more than $95,000 in their first year and experienced controllers can earn up to $180,000 annually. This includes salary, allowances, company superannuation contributions and other payments.
In simple terms air traffic controllers keep aircraft separated from each other – in the air and on the ground.
They work 7.5-hour shifts that typically follow a pattern of four days on, two days off.
Airways currently employs 350 air traffic services staff members, which Boyle said was an adequate number ‘‘to cover foreseeable eventualities’’.
But Tim Robinson, president of the New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association (NZALPA), which includes air traffic controllers, said Airways’ air traffic controller staffing levels were ‘‘suboptimal’’.
‘‘We don’t think the manning levels have been good enough.’’
Air traffic controller shortages in Napier and Auckland were of particular concern and had been resulting in flight delays as controllers were experiencing stress and fatigue, Robinson said.
Staff were having to be called back on days off to fill shifts left vacant by staff on leave, he said.
‘‘That’s putting more stress on them on a day-to-day basis on what is already a stressful job.’’
If fatigue and stress levels were too high among air traffic controllers, airspaces could be closed or restricted, limiting aircraft movements, Robinson said.
Filling 10 positions would take Airways to minimum staffing standards but would not futureproof the company, he said.
Airways had been focusing too much on other commercial interests when its first priority should be a safe and well-staffed air traffic control service, he said.
‘‘We need them to refocus on that No. 1 priority.’’
Boyle said airlines could continue to fly safely under contingency procedures approved by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Airlines had been notified well in advance to allow them to plan their schedules, he said.
‘‘There is, however, the possibility that a number of expected and unexpected circumstances may occur at once, and these are difficult to cover at short notice.
‘‘We have brought in additional staff from other units to assist with cover over this time.’’
The Napier tower was normally staffed by five full-time air traffic controllers, Boyle said. It was not able to fully cover all shifts, and a level of contingency cover was needed daily until at least mid-February.
‘‘Air traffic controller’’ is not on the Government’s immediate or long-term skills shortage list, meaning migrants wanting to work in the role will not be given relaxed visa requirements.