Aviation Security Training Program: Training updates
Training update 1: What is the Aviation Security Training Framework Project?
The Aviation Security Training Project was initiated by the Australian Government with the outcome to be a nationally consistent competency-based Aviation Security Training Framework (ASTF) with complementary training and assessment resources. These resources will be available to the aviation industry for use in developing a robust aviation security capability. The scope of the ASTF covers work roles with a security responsibility within an airport environment.
To assist the project development, an industry advisory group, the Aviation Security Training Advisory Group (ASTAG), was established in March 2006 to provide strategic input and contribute to the development of the ASTF. ASTAG meetings have been held at various critical stages throughout the framework development to review papers and reports, provide feedback and provide guidance for development of the ASTF.
The approach to develop the ASTF has been divided into two components: framework development, and training and assessment resource development.
- Framework development involves scoping the breadth of work roles and identifying security related tasks and required skills and knowledge across the diverse range of airport and airline operations. This information will be used to develop standards relevant to each work role that will make up the ASTF.
- Training and assessment resources development will involve a training organisation selected through a tender process to assist the department to produce a range of resources suitable for the diverse conditions in which Australian airports operate and that will support the aviation industry to train their staff to the ASTF standards. Aviation Industry Participants will be invited to participate in the development process as working groups.
Training update 2: Aviation Security Training Framework Development
The Aviation Security Training Framework is being developed in collaboration with TDT Australia, the transport industry skills council.
A scoping exercise has been conducted by TDT Australia that involved consultation through established industry groups such as Aviation Security Advisory Forum (ASAF) and Regional Industry Consultative Meeting (RICM) and one-to-one interviews with over 25 aviation industry participants.
The scoping report was presented to the Department in May 2006 and reviewed by Aviation Security Training Advisory Group (ASTAG).
Key findings of the scoping report follow.
- There is a need in the Aviation Security Training Framework and associated training and assessment resources for a greater emphasis on competency based assessment (Focus on demonstrated performances in real or simulated situations).
- New standards will be developed to cover identified gaps in the current set of standards for all workers with a security responsibility, security guards and screening officers.
- Existing training resources will be suitably updated and/or complemented with additional competency-based learning and assessment resources to address identified gaps.
- It is proposed that a range of relevant, flexible, affordable and customisable assessment and learning resources be developed for use within the proposed Aviation Security Training Framework.
Feedback from the ASTAG was very positive. The Department agreed to progress the project as per the recommendations of the scoping report.
Training update: 3: Aviation Security Training Framework validation
In November 2006 the standards that make up the Aviation Security Training Framework were validated with a selection of aviation industry participants (all members of the Aviation Security Training Advisory Group and 55 aviation industry participants). These industry participants were a cross section of aviation industry that is security regulated.
The validation process consisted of two phases.
Phase 1 involved providing copies of all standards to participating aviation industry participants. Participants were requested to review and provide written feedback into how these standards were relevant to their business environment.
Phase 2 was a series of validation workshops conducted across Australia from 8-23 November 2006 with a representative group of aviation industry participants to discuss the feedback and provide specific changes required.
Recommendations from these phases were incorporated into a summary report of key findings which will be used to complete the ASTF standards.
The ASTF standards are being finalised for review once more by the ASTAG in late December. The ASTF training and assessment resources are expected to be developed in 2008.
Training update 4: Aviation Security Training Framework (ASTF): Training and assessment resources development
The proposed standards of the Aviation Security Training Framework (ASTF) were reviewed by the Aviation Security Training Advisory Group (ASTAG) in December. The ASTAG advised that the proposed standards were suitable for the broader industry.
Training and assessment resources that support the ASTF are being developed over the next eight months. These resources will be developed by a specialist training development consultant Swinburne University of Technology (TAFE Division) in collaboration with the aviation industry. Virtual working groups made up of aviation industry participants have been established to provide technical input for content development and testing. These groups are known as the Aviation Security Training and Assessment Resources Industry Working Groups (Working Groups).Training update 5: Aviation Security Training Framework (ASTF): Training and assessment resources development
Development of the Aviation Security Training and Assessment Resources has commenced. The consultant Swinburne University of Technology (TAFE Division) recently provided draft training and assessment resources to the Aviation Industry 'Working Groups' for review. The consultant is continuing to liaise with aviation industry participants for technical input and content development of the resources.
Training update 6: Continuation of ASTF training and assessment resources development and next Industry Working Group meeting
The consultants at Swinburne University of Technology (TAFE Division) have been continuing their work on developing the training and assessment resources under the Aviation Security Training Framework. First drafts of all primary materials will have been reviewed by the Department and industry volunteers by the middle of August 2007. The consultant is also developing secondary support resources, including electronic tools, to assist with and enhance the learning process. The next ASTF Industry Working Group meeting will be held in Melbourne on the 20th August. Working Group members will again have the opportunity to comment on the training resources content
In consultation with the Department, the consultant is developing a testing and validation process to present the draft training resources in a 'live' situation facilitated by training providers, with learners drawn from the aviation industry. The feedback from these sessions will be incorporated into a second draft of the resources.
Training update 7: Aviation security training resources and proposed implementation options for the Aviation Security Training Program (ASTP).
The Aviation Security Training Framework (ASTF) has been re-titled to the Aviation Security Training Program (ASTP) to align the standards with aviation security requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The change in name will also address issues raised by the educational community in that the ASTF, without explanation, is interpreted as a duplication of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system or even a stand alone framework.
The aviation security training and assessment resources to complement the ASTP were tested and validated in a live environment at Mount Isa Airport in February 2008. Feedback from testing and validation was incorporated into final draft versions for the training and assessment resources.
The training and assessment resources were delivered to the Department and subjected to an external review in June 2008.
In February, Minister Albanese approved consultation with industry for the proposed implementation options of the ASTP. Consultation workshops were conducted nationwide from March to June 2008 with relevant industry sectors, which included aviation industry participants, security service providers to the aviation industry, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), state and territory training authorities, employer representative bodies, industry skills councils and other Commonwealth Agencies.
A proposal to implement the ASTP is expected to be submitted for Government consideration in late 2008.