GM1 ATCO.B.025(a)(5)  Unit competence scheme

ASSESSMENTS

(a)       Assessments may have one or more components.

(b)       One component should be the assessment of practical skills; other components may be oral and/or written examinations.

(c)       Practical skills assessments should be conducted as continuous assessment or dedicated practical assessment(s).

(d)       Continuous assessment

Continuous assessment should be achieved by the assessor assessing, during normal operational duties, the operational performance compared to the standard of the air traffic control service expected.

Where the assessor has not been able to adequately assess the air traffic controller by continuous assessment, he/she should not certify the air traffic controller’s competence until a dedicated practical assessment has been conducted.

(e)       Dedicated practical assessment

A dedicated practical assessment may consist of a single assessment or a series of assessments.

To conduct a dedicated practical assessment, the assessor(s) should sit with the air traffic controller with the purpose of assessing, under normal operational conditions, the operational performance compared to the standard of the air traffic control service expected.

The air traffic controller concerned should be advised that a dedicated practical assessment is to be conducted and be briefed on the conduct of the assessment.

For those situations where an applicant’s performance cannot be observed at the time of the assessment (e.g. low visibility operations, snow clearing, military activity, etc.), the assessment may be supplemented by synthetic training device sessions and/or an oral examination.

(f)        The performance objectives’ topics to be assessed should be determined in detail by the air navigation service provider. Examples of performance objectives’ topics are as follows:

—             application of unit regulations and procedures (e.g. minimum separation standards, letters of agreement, Aeronautical Information Publications);

—             traffic analysis and planning;

—             task priority setting;

—             communication, including phraseology;

—             capacity and expedition;

—             accuracy;

—             initiative, adaptability and decision-making;

—             air traffic control techniques;

—             teamwork and other human factors skills;

—             the level of risk associated with the tasks performed (e.g. attitudes to risk).

(g)       Procedures when failing

Notwithstanding ATCO.B.025(a)(10), when an air traffic controller fails in one or more of the components of the assessment, he/she should not be allowed to exercise the privilege of this unit endorsement, and provisional inability in accordance with ATCO.A.015(b) may be declared until a successful competence assessment has been performed. Resitting the full competence assessment or the failed part only may be required.

(h)       Record keeping

The results of all assessments, including those of the continuous assessment, and examinations should be documented and stored confidentially, accessible to the assessor and the person being assessed.