AFI Training Needs Database Development
Pan African Aviation Training Survey
Background
Reference is made to the conclusions of the Special AFI RAN meeting held in Durban, South Africa, 23 November – 1 December 2008 (SP AFI RAN 2008), and in particular its recommendation 5/8 related to Safety Training Strategies in the AFI Region. As directed by SP AFI RAN 2008 Recommendation 5/8, ACIP in partnership with the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) organized a meeting of African Aviation Training Institutions (Johannesburg, May 2009) as a follow-up to the Aviation Training Conference organized by AFCAC (Niamey, February 2009). The May meeting led to the formation of an African Training Experts Working Group (TEWG).
One of the major tasks assigned to the TEWG was the establishment of a database on aviation training needs and resources within Africa. The project was jointly led by ACIP and AFCAC with the support and endorsement of Airports Council International (ACI) Africa and African Airlines Association (AFRAA).
To enable TEWG to progress this important project within the required timescales it signed an agreement with SITA Consulting to collect the required data and perform initial analysis. Data was collected from States, aviation services providers and training organizations throughout Africa on aviation training needs and available capacity. The information collected was stored in a database, analyzed to identify key areas of supply and demand, and to provide input into the Master Plan for Aviation training in the AFI region.
Data Analysis
The outcome of the data collected indicated that for some areas such as airport operations and regulatory activities, the demand for training was higher than the capacities currently available in Africa. Harmonization of aviation training was identified as one of the major means to address the existing gap between the demand and supply of aviation training in Africa.
The TEWG reviewed the various barriers to the harmonization of aviation training in Africa.
Proposed Actions
Based on the data analysis and the review of the barriers to the harmonization of aviation training in Africa, the TEWG identified several actions for implementation by States and Training Organizations with the objective of meeting the training demand in Africa through an increase, as well as rationalization of training resources within Africa. The proposed actions include:
Harmonization throughout Africa of the competencies requirements for identified aviation specialists skills/jobs/functions;
Cross-border accreditation of instructors and training organizations based on a set of common standards, including quality assurance, and a harmonized methodology for course syllabi design and implementation ;
Establishment of centers of excellence to take the lead in the development and maintenance of training courses in each category of activities (Airline Operations, Aircraft Maintenance, Airport operations, Air Traffic Services, Regulatory);
Set-up of an African Training Advisory Board to promote best practices, develop minimum standards and monitor implementation;
Creation of an Association of African Training Organization (AATO).
The proposed actions were submitted to the 2nd Pan-African Aviation Training Coordination Conference (Cairo, Egypt, 22-24 June 2010) to assist in the process of developing a master plan for harmonization of training in Africa.
