Training and Certification: Introduction

The South African Civil Aviation Authority, AVSEC Division, has established a new department dealing with the issues of Aviation Security Personnel Training and Certification. This department is underpinned in its operations by Part 109 and 110 of the civil aviation regulations. There has been a gap in the past in that this sector was not properly regulated and training from an Aviation Security point of view has been fragmented. The division, in an endeavor to address this deficiency, has developed regulations and prides itself on being the regulator and oversight structure of the Aviation Security Training Organisations and Aviation Security Screeners in the Aviation Industry. Part 109 and 110 regulations seek to ensure standardization in carrying out security tasks; and in safeguarding civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference.

Preamble

The Training and Certification department’s mandate is to approve Aviation Security (AVSEC) training organisations; certifying aviation security (AVSEC) screeners, and support training organisations’ objective of implementing quality controlled education and training which meet the requirements of the Training and Certification regulations as encapsulated in CARS Part 109 and 110 as well as their associated Technical Standards.

With combined training and certification experience and skills and armed with a team of trendsetters and innovators, this department is geared towards creating powerful and rigorous solutions to maximise the global competitive advantage in so far as aviation security training and certification is concerned.

Training and Certification: Key Departmental Objectives

Training

· Set standards of Aviation Security Training through regulations

· Develop curriculum in line with ICAO standards

· Regulate Aviation Security Training in South Africa

· Oversee effective functioning of Aviation Security Training Organisations

· Approval of Aviation Security Training Organisations

· Enforcement of Regulations and Technical Standards.

Certification

· Set standards for Certification of Aviation Security Screeners

· Develop certification regulations and technical standards and monitor compliance and conformance by screeners

· Certification of aviation security screeners in line with standards defined by SACAA.

Conclusion

All aviation security and aviation security awareness training organisations and aviation security screeners in South Africa are our first line of defence against acts of unlawful interference, therefore it is significant that they be regulated and their operations standardized in line with international standards as encapsulated in the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) standards and recommended practices. The upcoming regulations and technical standards are geared towards giving effect to these standards and to make the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) the best regulator throughout. All South Africans within the aviation security industry are encouraged to work in tandem with the SACAA in achieving this noble goal.

Aviation Security Training Class Screening Equipment (X-Ray Machine)