Civil Aviation Officers Receiving ICAO Training
Civil aviation officers from across the Caribbean are currently engaged in three-week-long Training Instructor and Training Developers Courses being taught by instructors from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Speaking during the opening ceremony for the course at the Civil Aviation Authority’s Charnocks, Christ Church location on Monday, Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, welcomed the instructors from ICAO and participants.
Mr. Gooding-Edghill highlighted the importance of the civil aviation industry to tourism. “Throughout the years, the aviation industry has had a tremendous impact on our world and by extension the Caribbean region. It has served as an important avenue for trade facilitation by increasing access to international markets and contributing to improved productivity by encouraging investment and innovation.
“Most of all it has facilitated tourism. As you are aware, this industry is the bedrock of the economies in the region, and it is inextricably linked to aviation.
“It is estimated globally that 54 per cent of international tourists travel by air, and in many Caribbean markets, tourist arrivals by air can account for as much as 90 per cent of all arrivals,” the Tourism Minister stated.
He stressed that given the importance of the aviation sector, the Ministry is seeking to enhance and develop it. One such action towards the development of the sector is the proposed establishment of a modern training academy with state-of-the-art equipment, offering a wide variety of aviation courses, which will cater to local, regional and international students, he disclosed.
“I am proud to state that the Barbados Civil Aviation Training Centre is a certified member of the ICAO Global Aviation TRAINAIR PLUS Program, and as such, is committed to supporting the ICAO Civil Aviation Training Policy, which is geared towards supporting the human resource development strategies established by member states and the aviation community, to ensure that we all have access to a sufficient number of qualified and competent personnel,” Minister Gooding-Edghill said.
It is the third time in the last 12 years that Barbados is hosting the training. Initially, it was known as the TRAINAIR Program and was revamped between 2011 and 2012 with the establishment of the TRAINAIR Plus Program.
The ICAO, of which Barbados is a member state, is a United Nations specialised agency established in 1944 to manage the administration and governance of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention).
The organisation works with member states and industry groups to reach consensus on international civil aviation standards and recommended practices and policies in support of a safe, efficient, secure, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible civil aviation sector.
ICAO offers training courses which focus on empowering current and future generations of aviation professionals with the skills and tools to overcome industry challenges. The unique techniques and resources provided help build aviation capacity, thus ensuring that participants can thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Course participants are also from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Abu Dhabi.
Author: Sheena Forde-Craigg