Correct, he got fired by Reagan AFTER going on strike/walking off the job.
There are quite a few ATC’s in the area because of the FAA center in Nashua. Several hundred work there.
So, there are a lot of retired ATC around here too.
The local community College just started a two year ATC program sponsored by the FAA.
I know another ATC who did it the old fashioned way. He enlisted in the USAF and spent a year in Baghdad. Another year after that in the states. Got out and was immediately hired by the FAA. After civilian training he was given a choice of three airports. He has been at Miami International since. His total cost of training was ZERO dollars. No student loans. Just two years of his life with one in the sand box.