Essential Requirements

Qualifications:

Applicants need a Leaving Certificate with 5 passes (including Maths) with H5 in at least 2 Higher Level Papers. The educational standard required is a minimum of Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The National Framework of Qualifications is the single structure mechanism for recognising all education and training in Ireland. Further details are available on www.nfq.ie
An equivalent second level qualification may be acceptable, but it must include Mathematically based subjects. 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

Additional Requirements:

Candidates must be 21 years of age to be a licensed air traffic controller and because the training takes up to 2 years, an applicant should be at least 19 years of age when applying. With effect from 16th January 2026, candidates must be aged 35 or under to apply.
Applicants must be eligible to work and live in the EU.

Note on Student Controller Programme

With effect from 16th January 2026, our Student Controllers will receive a student allowance of €515 per week for the duration of training, until the commencement of On-the-Job Training (OJTI) at which point they will receive an allowance of €43,026 pro-rata for the duration of OJTI.
Successful applicants will undergo a Training Programme of approximately 16 - 20 months in 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). Students commencing training from April 2026 will complete the first 6 weeks of training on-line however will be required to attend in person for a Team Building Exercise at the commencement of training which will take place over approximately 3 days.

Upon successful completion of the programme, including attainment of an ICAO rating (licence), candidates may be offered a position as an Air Traffic Control Officer. Salary for such is based on an incremental pay scale.
Training Cost Repayment Policy:
You will be required to repay training costs under the following conditions:

If you accept an offer of employment as an Air Traffic Control Officer and leave within 4 years, you must repay training costs (to the amount specified in your contract of employment).
If you decline an offer of employment after completing training, you will be liable to repay €85,000 in training costs

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.