Africa gets a boost in aviation security

The group officially graduated at an event in Kempton Park hosted by Airports Company South Africa. The 20 aviation security professionals who graduated last night include seven people from South Africa.

Speaking at the event, Jason Tshablala, group manager for security at Airports Company South Africa said: "We are honoured to be able to host this graduation for ICAO as the organisation which sets, maintains and monitors aviation standards and practices for all countries.

We believe that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement will provide a boost for air travel both within the continent and globally, which should make application of the highest standards in aviation security a priority for Africa.

The aviation security programme is one of the essential elements of ICAO’S global drive to develop a broad base of skills in the field and enhance the safety and security of passengers.

"ICAO has been active for many years in helping countries to implement ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). The main goal of this work is to help ensure that SARP implementation is better harmonised globally so that all countries have access to the significant socio-economic benefits of safe and reliable air transport,” said Tshabalala.

"We believe that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement will provide a boost for air travel both within the continent and globally, which should make application of the highest standards in aviation security a priority for Africa.

"In this context, the AVSEC PM qualification is a significant aspect of ICAO’s efforts to resolve Significant Security Concerns (SSCs) brought to light through ICAO’s security oversight audits as well as other security and emissions-related objectives," said Tshabalala.

AVSEC PM qualification

The aim of the Aviation Security Professional Management Course is to provide aviation security middle and senior management personnel with new management skills and a greater understanding of the application of Annex 17 of ICAO’S Standards and Recommended Practices.

The training programme is designed to equip aviation security management personnel with the ability to perform more complex and diverse tasks and display greater communicative and management skills to meet new and emerging threats to civil aviation.

The programme comprised of 70% security and 30% management is devised for air transportation industry managers, or future managers, whose functions involve responsibilities in the area of aviation security.

Students successfully completing the programme have permanent access to an exclusive e-network community of aviation security experts who have successfully completed the PMC curriculum. This community facilitates the sharing of information and optimises the diffusion of knowledge relevant to international aviation security requirements and best practices, training strategies and promotes intra-regional and international cooperation among its members.

The AVSEC PM graduating class of 2019 includes: