We identified retention of staff as an ongoing issue within the sector. Increased activity post-COVID has increased the likelihood of operators experiencing this issue.
The sudden increase in other activity types within similar sectors, such as offshore oil and gas, has also affected the sector resulting in competition for staff.
Operators identified some risks this issue would introduce including:
- experience of key personnel
- gaps in training
Organisations experiencing significant staff retention challenges has the potential for flow on safety implications if not appropriately managed.
What can CASR Part 133 operators do?
To help mitigate poor staff retention and high turnover, you should:
- make sure you have effective training management system. This includes tracking of currency requirements
- make sure you are providing effective training
- establish an onboarding process and ensure that it includes all training requirements
- avoid key person dependencies. Make sure there is sufficient redundancy within the organisation to cover key roles
- make sure those people holding key person positions within the organisation are the appropriate person for the job
- offer clear career pathways and progression to staff.
What is CASA doing or has already delivered?
We introduced Part 119 of CASR which details the requirements for the certification and management for air transport operators.
This includes the requirements for a scalable training and checking system. It also includes a scalable human factors and non-technical training (HF/NTS) for operational safety critical personnel. This ensures all operational safety critical staff have an acceptable level of competency before starting safety critical tasks.
We are a member of the Aviation Industry Reference Committee (AIRC). AIRC acts as the conduit between the aviation industry and the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (ASCI). ARIC is responsible for national training package qualifications for various disciplines across the industry. This includes:
- flight operations (pilots – aeroplane, helicopter, commercial, military, remote and pilot in command)
- flight instruction.
Training and checking requirements
We have published new training and checking requirements in Part 119 and 133 of CASR. This aims to help operational safety-critical staff remain proficient in the required competencies to support air operations.
There is guidance material available to support and help operators establish effective training and checking system as well as deliver non-technical skills training.
The Part 119 Acceptable Means of Compliance – Guidance Material details one way you can meet requirements for Part 119 of CASR:
It includes details on training and checking systems as well as requirements for key staff.
Other resources include:
- Training and checking determinations plain English to support industry understanding of the requirements of the Part 119 and 133. This determination summarises the key regulatory requirements in plainer English than the regulations.
We have also produced Flight Operations Sample Exposition and operations manuals for Part 133 operators. This includes training and checking system content which can be a basis for operator customisation.