CCSN takes off with certification

Angela Soo

Friday, March 16, 2001 | 4:29 a.m.

The Community College of Southern Nevada has joined a select few accredited and certified Federal Aviation Administration institutes. CCSN became the first certified school in the state and one of 40 in the country.

FAA officials during a ceremony this week talked about an anticipated shortage of qualified aviation technicians who repair and do maintenance on air traffic control equipment.

"We have an aging work force," FAA Assistant Manager Gregory Massoud said. "This year one-third of aviation technicians will be eligible to retire. We need to fill those projected vacancies."

Estimated salaries for performance technicians range from $42,000 to $98,000, according to the FAA Collegiate Training Initiative brochure. Supervisors and managers for FAA make from $52,200 to $117,700.

Technicians ensure air traffic control safety and system efficiency, Warren Hioki, associate dean of engineering technology department, said. With technology changing and a nationwide upgrade of equipment in store, the need for effective FAA training schools is essential.

"CCSN will provide FAA with a highly trained and diverse work force," FAA Division Manager Robert Strong Jr. said. "Our mission is safety. We adhere to high standards of excellence."

"That's why we chose CCSN because we know we're getting the best possible candidates," Massoud said. "We can't leave these things to chance. We take pride in our No. 1 resource -- our employees."

Not only did the community college undergo various technical assessments in order to receive accreditation, it also met diversity standards.

"We specifically targeted certain groups of people, including the economically disadvantaged, minorities, women, prisoners and re-entry workers, to better prepare them for the work force," Hioki said.

School demographics factor into the FAA decisions because the federal government aims to promote diversity and encourage community development. Institutions are sometimes turned down because they don't meet these requirements, Hioki said.

Students who complete the program will benefit by having more job opportunities available to them.

"There will be a strong demand for CCSN graduate technicians -- especially now that our program is FAA certified," Hioki said.

The school's status as a recognized FAA training institute also provides students flexibility because other aviation schools will be more inclined to accept credits earned at CCSN.

"I am extra happy for the students," interim Vice President Theo Byrns said.