ASSESSOR

Course aim
This course addresses qualified ATM personnel. The course aims to provide knowledge and skills to conduct assessment of colleagues and/or students in the operational environment, define roles and handle conflicts in a professional way. It also gives an understanding of the beneficial impact competence assessment has on safety as well as on the development of the unit and the individual.

Course objectives
After completing the course, the participants have:
An understanding of the Commission Regulation (EU) No 2015/340 and the operational competence assessment scheme.
Awareness of the role of the assessor.
Knowledge of the responsibilities and requirements for competence assessors.
An understanding of how to measure operational competence objectively.
The capability to take the appropriate actions when competence is in doubt.

Course overview
The course contains both lectures and practical exercises and is three days in length. A tailor-made course can be offered according to individual client needs.

Prerequisites
Completion of the On-the-job Training Instructor (OJTI) course at Entry Point North or other recognised training academy or/and ATC/ATM operational experience. According to the Commission Regulation (EU) No 2015/340 Assessor training should be taken every three years to maintain an Assessor endorsement.

Compliance with regulations
Compliant with Commission Regulation (EU) No 2015/340
Compliant with EUROCONTROL Guidelines for Competence Assessment edition 2.0, edition date 16.03.2005
Approved by the Swedish CAA

Content in brief
Introduction
Course content, aim and objectives
Expectations and concerns for the role as an assessor
Competence assessment – historic background, general experience and the participants’ experience
Why assessments are important for safety

Regulations
Background about the Commission Regulation (EU) No 2015/340
The national regulations and requirements
The requirements of the licensing scheme
The requirements for operational competence checks and how to maintain operational competence

Competence
Different views of competence. What is considered good enough and not good enough?
The responsibilities of the assessor

Assessment
How to objectively measure operational competence in the practical assessment
The assessment requirements
How to use the different tools to assess a person
How to document the observations made
Alternative actions when competence is in doubt

Communication
The importance of good communication between the assessor and the assessed person
How to give feedback
Some examples of good communication in problematic situations
Strategies for presenting unpleasant news

The role of the assessor
Formal/informal requirements
Ethical problems to consider. For example, what to consider when the staff numbers are few, and everyone knows each other well

Assessment in different countries
Presentation of the assessment procedures in different countries
Sharing of participants experiences in their own countries