The Role of Natural Abilities, Self-Regulative Abilities, and Environmental Conditions in Air Traffic Controllers’ Vocational Development

• In Event: Apprenticeships, Vocational Development, and Training

Abstract

This paper investigates the role of natural abilities, self-regulative abilities and environmental conditions in ATCO’s vocational development. The target population of the study consisted of ATCOs in Finland (N=300) of which 28, representing four different airports, were interviewed. The research data also included interviewees’ aptitude test scoring, study records and employee assessments. The findings indicate that cognitive skills, self‐reflection, volition and goal-orientation were considered to be ATCO’s most important vocational characteristics in addition to interpersonal, intrapersonal skills and spatial skills. The main differences between the ATCOs representing vocational expertise and excellence were related to self-regulation; particularly motivation and volition proved to be somewhat stronger with the last mentioned group.

Authors

• Laura Pylväs, University of Tampere

• Petri J. Nokelainen, University of Tampere

• Hilkka Anneli Roisko, University of Tampere