The Chief Executive Officer and Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Captain Abdulsalam Mohammed, has stressed the need for sufficient and sustainable funding for Approved Training Organisations (ATOs), to enable them maintain the holistic approach to training and capacity building.
This is just as he emphasized, that the ATOs need the support of stakeholders and government as well as sufficient strong investment by the private sector, in order to deliver on the training needs of the industry; maintain effective training methodologies, and put in place cutting edge application of modern trends and technology to provide training solutions.
“Sustainable funding and investment would enable ATOs to adopt new technologies and procedures in line with the fast changing technological advances in the industry” he noted.
The NCAT boss said these recently in Abuja at the second Annual Seminar of the Abuja Transport and Aviation Correspondents Association (ATACA), while speaking on the topic, “The National Carrier and NCAT’s Capacity to Supply Critical Skills: Problems and Prospects”.
He pointed out that aviation skills constantly shift and so, training, must be holistic, qualitative,and standardised; adding also, that technology and innovation are significant part of manpower training in aviation today.
According to him, “Training needs nowadays are mostly necessitated by job demands, new technology, and the very nature of the new generation of trainees. Therefore, innovation is constant, the training methodologies and programmes must be in pace with training needs and industry requirements. The inclusive training methodology in discussion is the forging of the traditional methods of supervised, disciplined classroom training with rigorous safety.
“At NCAT, we have the capacity to train all of these essential staff in addition to basic (Initial) pilot training, we have the capacity to conduct Multi Crew Course (MCC) and Jet Orientation Course(JOC) for the less experienced pilots who are fresh from school.
“Our Boeing 737 simulator when installed, will provide the opportunity for the pilots to undergo type rating and recurrent training with us. As you are aware, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved the installation of an Automatic Fire Simulator in Zaira. We intend to incorporate the use of this simulator in to our Cabin Crew training programme, where we will be able to simulate Cabin fire and smoke, seat and galley fire, as well as lavatory fire/smoke. This will be the first of its kind this part of Africa” he noted.
Abdulsalam, stated also, that a critical area of concern NCAT has grappled with, was how to mitigate the impacts of manpower shortage in the future.
In his words, “The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) predicted a shortfall in the supply of critical personnel in aviation in the future. By 2030, according to ICAO, over 350,000 more pilots would be required and 480,000 aircraft engineers would be needed to meet the annual 3.1 percent increase in passenger volume.
“The point to note is that, as the present crop of experienced professionals retires, coupled with the projected growth in the industry, the likelihood that these experienced hands would be in short supply becomes increasingly certain. The picture, though, frightening, but we see it also as a blessing in disguise” he remarked.
He however stressed that NCAT is not resting on its oars in ensuring that the country is self-sufficient in training its aviation manpower need and maintaining the inclusive and standardised training necessary for the 21st century.
“I will conclude by reiterating that the availability of competent and adequate manpower is paramount for the achievement of aviation’s goals. And for the professionals in the industry to be proficient and capable to contribute to the set objectives training and retraining is crucial”, he posited.
NCAT commenced academic and aviation skill acquisition activities in 1966, and has remained the most comprehensive Civil Aviation training centre in Sub-Saharan Africa, having all the core professional areas such as, Flying, Aircraft Maintenance, Air Traffic Management, Air Traffic Safety Electronic Engineering, and Aviation Management all co-located on a single campus. The College was recently awarded the status of Regional Training Centre of Excellence (RTCE) by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Photo source: Abelnewsng.com
