Doc 10057. Manual on Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP) Competency-based Training and Assessment. Second edition, 2020.
The Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) initiatives were launched to ensure that sufficient numbers of qualified and competent aviation professionals will be available to operate, manage and maintain the future international air transport system. In May 2009, the NGAP Task Force was created and was instrumental in supporting the preparatory work for the NGAP Symposium conducted at ICAO from 1 to 4 March 2010. Among the outcomes drawn from the NGAP Symposium were: a) the need to develop regulatory frameworks that enable and support the use of modern training and learning technologies (competency-based training, evidence-based training and increased use of simulation) and that are not an obstacle to industry best practices; and b) the need to define competencies for all aviation activities affecting safety in order to facilitate, through the use of internationally agreed upon standards and assessment practices, the free-flow of professionals.
The effective performance of the air traffic management (ATM) system depends on competent and qualified ATM professionals. The ATM system is evolving towards a globally integrated and collaborative system. Air traffic safety electronics personnel (ATSEP) involved in the installation, operation and maintenance of the communication, navigation, surveillance/air traffic management (CNS/ATM) system must have a shared understanding of what is expected of them in terms of performance wherever they may work in order to support a globally interoperable system and to achieve optimum capacity within acceptable safety limits. This shared understanding becomes critical when considering the increasing traffic and the growing complexity and interconnectedness of the systems involved. As controller-pilot and system-to-system interfaces evolve, the ATSEP installing, operating and managing the CNS/ATM system need common competencies and practices to ensure seamless operations.
In February 2015, procedures for the implementation of competency-based training and assessment for ATSEP were included in the Procedures for Air Navigation Services — Training (PANS-TRG, Doc 9868). These procedures provide States, air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and training providers with guidance on how to structure their approach to training and assessment of ATSEP. The procedures provide a flexible framework that stakeholders can adapt to their local operational contexts and requirements.
Some of the provisions already included in the PANS-TRG are of a generic nature and can apply to all aviation functions including ATM personnel. The purpose of this manual is to provide additional guidance to the provisions of the PANS-TRG and support stakeholders in the successful implementation of competency-based training and assessment for ATSEP.