More than 120 complete aviation security courses |04 March 2014
Over 120 people have received their certificates after completing a selection of aviation security related training courses and workshops conducted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) experts last year.
Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) personnel and other agencies having direct links with aviation security, such as the Seychelles Police Force, Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF), Zil Air, Islands Development Company (IDC), National Drugs Enforcement Agency (NDEA), National Intelligence Services (NIS), Department of Immigration, Customs and Air Seychelles are now more knowledgeable in what it takes to achieve security in aviation.
The in-country training was part of the ‘Project for the Improvement of Aviation Security in Africa’ which enabled technical help such as policy advice, training and the provision of equipment to selected beneficiary countries.
The secretariat of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States awarded to the IATA/AVSEC Global Ltd consortium the contract of the project funded by the European Union and supported the European Commission.
The scope of the three-year project, which started on January 15, 2013, was to establish suitable legislation and operational framework for aviation security at the national level, putting in place appropriate security programmes compliant with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and recommended practices (SARPs), ensuring their implementation by developing.
appropriately trained aviation security inspectors and security personnel and establishing effective national oversight and quality control in the selected beneficiary countries.
Seychelles was identified as a beneficiary country to receive, at no cost, in-country technical help under this project, from September 16, 2013 to November 22, 2013.
“The project does not only concern SCAA but rather Seychelles as a whole,” said Dobin Samson, SCAA’s head of security.
Mr Samson added that “SCAA works with different key agencies for the security of passengers, crew, ground personnel and the general public in all matters related to safeguarding against acts of unlawful interference with civil aviation, and the capability to respond rapidly to meet any increased security threat”.
SCAA provided the necessary logistical support to bring together nominated personnel from those key agencies to follow these training courses and workshops. Hence, those who took part were equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively carry out their daily duties.
The training courses and workshops included National Civil Aviation Security Quality Control Programme Course/workshop, Security Risk & Crisis Management Course, Bomb Threat Assessment Course, National Civil Aviation Security Programme Workshop and Seychelles International Airport – Airport Security Programme Workshop.
“As a member of the ICAO, Seychelles is fully committed to honour its commitment to maintaining international aviation standards,” said Gilbert Faure, SCAA’s chief executive.
He added that “the accomplishments of those who took part are in line with the commitment Seychelles has made”.
The certificate presentation ceremony took place last week at the Seychelles International Airport departure lounge.