The successful completion of ab-initio Air Traffic Control training at the Civil Aviation Training Centre, Trinidad and Tobago,  or anywhere else for that matter, provides trainee controllers with a very firm foundation in the subject and will normally serve personnel so trained for approximately two years. During this time, controller trainees will work towards acquiring their Aerodrome, Approach and Area Control ratings’ qualifications at the particular aerodrome at which they are employed. Later on radar training will be provided as may be applicable and necessary. 

The strict supervision of the trainee during the OJT period often places the young inexperienced individual in a position where he is obligated to maintain familiarity with the rules and procedures of the ATS system within which he works, or he will eventually suffer the consequences of failing to meet the rating requirements. 

However, after receiving his ratings, unless there is a very specific reason to do so, there is hardly a guarantee that such personnel will keep in touch with the procedures with which they had become so initially familiar. It is therefore necessary and obligatory for the relevant State to ensure that all Air Traffic Controllers under its jurisdiction continue to keep abreast of the rules, procedures and separation standards. Refresher training will usually accomplish this objective and should therefore be provided at least once every eighteen months or every two years. 

The International Civil Aviation Organization has begun auditing the licensing provisions and/or associated procedures of Contracting States' .  This is reasonable and necessary in order to ensure inter- alia, that personnel in all fields of Air Traffic Services are not just adequately trained but that regular refresher training is made available in order that knowledge and skills may be kept updated. It is therefore important for any State to provide quality refresher ATS training on a continuous basis . This cannot be over-emphasized in the light of the fact that the discipline forms part of an environment that is very unforgiving of mistakes, either by pilots, operators of airlines, aircraft mechanics or, of course, air traffic controllers. 

Potential operational errors in air traffic services can only be minimized or eliminated by upgrading and refreshing the knowledge, skills and attitudes of controllers, something which can only be acquired through continuous training in the associated fields.

A New Initiative

During the years 2001 and 2002, the former  Intercaribbean Aeronautical Communications Limited (IACL, a now defunct company, whose responsibilities have now been taken over by the newly formed Civil Aviation Authority,) undertook a much- needed initiative to recommend and sponsor ATS Refresher training for the English-speaking States of the Eastern Caribbean. 

New or updated manuals for the Air Traffic Services were compiled by the facilitators and formed the basis for the instruction provided.

Each course was conducted within the home State and lasted approximately five days. 

Each ECAR State now has to assess its position and work on the implementation of very necessary and continuous ATC training in order to ensure that their staff keep their skills and knowledge updated not sporadically but with some form of consistency and regularity

G. Livingstone

Retired Asst Director Civil Aviation and

Former Chief Instructor ATS Training, Trinidad and Tobago