The Civil Aviation Training Centre (CATC), Sri Lanka, produced its first batch of diploma holders when 24 students who followed the first ever ‘Diploma in Aviation Studies’ Programme received their Diplomas at a glittering award ceremony held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel on 15th February, 2012. This is the first Diploma level qualification in the aviation industry awarded by a state institution.
Chairman, Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., (AASL) Mr. Prasanna Wickramasuriya was the chief guest at the event. The Director General of Civil Aviation Mr. H M C Nimalsiri who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, Vice Chairman AASL Mr. Kamal Ratwatte and other distinguished members of the Board of Directors, Divisional Heads of AASL and the parents of the awardees were also in attendance. The awardees comprised 18 gentlemen and 6 ladies.
Welcoming the guests, the Head of Civil Aviation Training, Eng. Athula Seneviratne stated that the conduction of this diploma programme brought the CATC out of its conventional role of a company training centre into that of a higher education institution catering to the industry needs.
Delivering a thought provoking ceremonial oration, the Chief Guest, Mr. Prasanna Wickramasuriya stated that the local aviation industry was expanding, opening a lot of opportunities for qualified young aviation professionals.
This Diploma programme is delivered on full time basis annually by the CATC. It grooms the participants for supervisory, junior executive and lower middle level managerial positions in the non-skill based trades in the aviation industry and its allied disciplines. The next intake is to be absorbed shortly.
Speaking about the programme, its programme manager Mr. Kishantha Nimalaratne who is the Chief Instructor in Air Traffic Services at the CATC said that it comprises two courses titled “Industrial Awareness Course” and “Industrial Alignment Course” each of approximately 3 months duration. Students must successfully complete both courses in order to earn the diploma. An industrial attachment is sandwiched between the two courses during which the students are attached to action stations of the aviation industry to get a first hand insight into airport and airline operations. An in facility training is included at the end of the second course. The students must also complete a mini project during this training period. The programme contains extensive course work. It is a full time study programme. Total programme takes approximately 7 months. The entry requirements are G.C.E. Advanced Level and a credit pass in English at the G.C.E. Ordinary Level.
Both constituent courses of the programme were developed at the TRAINAIR Course Development Unit at the CATC. This unit was established at the CATC in 2007 when it became a member of the TRAINAIR programme of the International Civil Aviation Organization. It develops courses in civil aviation for international sharing which is the prime objective of the TRAINAIR programme. It is run by two course development officers and Ms. Kumudini Wanniarachchi, who is one of them, stated “We develop courses for exclusive delivery at our training center as well and this is one such programme”.
Speaking more about the course content, Ms. Ganga Priyadarshani, the other course development officer said that the students are taught about ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, Airport & Airline Operations, Fundamentals of Supervisory Management & Operations Management, Basic Accounting and Economics, Marketing, and basic Operational Research. The programme also has a professional development module running throughout the duration which includes personal grooming, communication skills and other vital soft skills demanded by the modern corporate world. The general nature of the course permits the successful students to venture into a wide spectrum of openings in the aviation industry and even its allied trades such as tourism and cargo.
In order to cover a lot of ground during a short period, several innovative course management techniques have been employed. The “Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP)” initiative of the ICAO which has forecasted a world wide shortage of aviation professionals in the years ahead has recommended that aviation training providers reach out to youngsters using communication media that they are comfortable with. This guideline has been adhered to in this diploma programme.
More details about the programme could be obtained by calling the Civil Aviation Training Centre on 2634763, by emailing catc@airport.lk and by visiting www.airport.lk, the official website of Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. |
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