Narrative:

This was day one of resuming training for both myself as instructor; and for the trainee; since the covid-19 schedule began. The radar positions were previously de-combined; but were combined up just before beginning training. Shortly after; traffic and complexity increased rapidly. As it was getting more difficult to complete a timely and accurate scan; aircraft X was descending on a vector to the airport; and was on a converging course with an un-identified VFR tag at 7;500 feet indicated. Before realizing this conflict; aircraft X reported traffic up ahead. The trainee issued traffic and a heading away; but not a traffic alert. Aircraft X then informed us he was executing a TCAS RA; at which point we issued a traffic alert and to advise when complete. He finished the RA; and continued on vectors to the airport.traffic throughout the airspace has increased to a point in which multiple positions should have been used; both identified; controlled traffic; as well as VFR traffic saturating the airspace. In addition to the traffic factors; the supervisor position had just been switched over to a controller; so the controller in charge of the TRACON was fulfilling several duties at that time while the supervisor was doing other duties. This led to a lack of overall awareness throughout the TRACON; with more traffic at hand than controllers and supervision present. I recommend that supervisory personnel and controllers alike; myself included; be more vigilant of rapidly increasing traffic; and take action to de-combine positions in a more timely manner. I also suggest that it be noted to be more vigilant when it is the very first day back in a training environment; as controllers could be rusty in a training environment. It was also the first day back from X days off due to covid-19; and these extending absences should be taken into account when managing workload for controllers. As an ojti and controller; I need to be more aware of these things; and be better prepared to handle any traffic presented; but this was a very difficult task to accomplish given all of the factors mentioned above; specifically workload; complexity; training; and overall saturation.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: TRACON Controller and air carrier Captain reported an airborne conflict situation between the Captain's commercial aircraft and an unknown VFR aircraft.

Narrative: This was day one of resuming training for both myself as instructor; and for the trainee; since the COVID-19 schedule began. The radar positions were previously de-combined; but were combined up just before beginning training. Shortly after; traffic and complexity increased rapidly. As it was getting more difficult to complete a timely and accurate scan; Aircraft X was descending on a vector to the airport; and was on a converging course with an un-identified VFR tag at 7;500 feet indicated. Before realizing this conflict; Aircraft X reported traffic up ahead. The trainee issued traffic and a heading away; but not a traffic alert. Aircraft X then informed us he was executing a TCAS RA; at which point we issued a traffic alert and to advise when complete. He finished the RA; and continued on vectors to the airport.Traffic throughout the airspace has increased to a point in which multiple positions should have been used; both identified; controlled traffic; as well as VFR traffic saturating the airspace. In addition to the traffic factors; the Supervisor position had just been switched over to a Controller; so the Controller in charge of the TRACON was fulfilling several duties at that time while the Supervisor was doing other duties. This led to a lack of overall awareness throughout the TRACON; with more traffic at hand than controllers and supervision present. I recommend that supervisory personnel and controllers alike; myself included; be more vigilant of rapidly increasing traffic; and take action to de-combine positions in a more timely manner. I also suggest that it be noted to be more vigilant when it is the very first day back in a training environment; as controllers could be rusty in a training environment. It was also the first day back from X days off due to COVID-19; and these extending absences should be taken into account when managing workload for controllers. As an OJTI and Controller; I need to be more aware of these things; and be better prepared to handle any traffic presented; but this was a very difficult task to accomplish given all of the factors mentioned above; specifically workload; complexity; training; and overall saturation.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.