Qualifications and training for VTS personnel

As per IMO Resolution A.1158(32) Guidelines for Vessel Traffic Services:

VTS personnel should only be considered competent when appropriately trained and qualified for their VTS duties. This includes:

satisfactorily completing generic VTS training approved by a competent authority;
satisfactorily completing on-the-job training at the VTS where the personnel are employed;
undergoing periodic assessments and revalidation training to ensure competence is maintained; and
being in possession of appropriate certification.

VTS providers must ensure that adequate policy and associated processes and procedures are implemented to:

Manage the VTS training scenarios in a manner consistent with the intent of IALA Recommendation R0103 and this guidance.
Ensure staffing levels are sufficient so the supervision of the person does not impact on the delivery of service.

Read the IMO Resolution A.1158(32) Guidelines for Vessel Traffic Services (PDF, 660KB).

Guidance

VTS providers must ensure their operations satisfy the following qualification and training requirements for VTS personnel in Australia.

1. Generic Training

A person should only be permitted to carry out the duties of VTS personnel where:

They hold a C0103-1 VTS operator certificate awarded by an accredited VTS training organisation#, and
Have satisfactorily completed On-the-Job Training* (OJT) at the VTS Centre at which the person is employed.

Pending completion of a C0103-1 VTS Operator course, the person in training must have satisfactorily completed OJT at the VTS centre at which the person is employed, and
The person in training operates under the supervision of VTS personnel who hold a C0103-1 certificate awarded by an accredited training organisation.

# Note: A VTS training organisation means an organisation that has been issued a certificate of accreditation by AMSA under section 15 of Marine Order 64 (Vessel traffic services). This includes:

They are a training organisation registered by any of the following:
1. the Australian Skills Quality Authority
2. the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority
3. the Training Accreditation Council, Western Australia.
They meet the responsibilities of a VTS training organisation that are mentioned in the normative provisions of IALA Standard 1050.

* Note: On-the-Job Training is required to achieve the knowledge, practical competence, skills, and attitude to undertake duties at the VTS where they are employed. Assessment of OJT should be carried out by a person/s appropriately qualified and experienced holding a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or an IALA C0103-4 VTS On-the-job training instructor certificate.

2. Maintaining VTS Qualifications and Competency

IALA Guideline G1156 Recruitment, Training and Certification of VTS Personnel states:

The VTS provider should implement a process for revalidation to ensure competence is maintained. For example, revalidation of a VTS qualification is required when:

the VTS certification is approaching its expiry date;
there are changes in the physical environment of the VTS, or tasks which necessitate additional training for VTS personnel; or
there is a break in service, unsatisfactory operational performance or other circumstances leading to a reduced level of competence.

Components of the revalidation process include:

Performance assessments on VTS personnel are undertaken to ensure that the established standards continue to be met. These should be carried out at regular intervals, at least annually.
Recurrent training - a structured training programme carried out at regular intervals to reassess the competency and proficiency of VTS personnel.
Adaptation training - carried out when significant changes are expected, such as changes associated with equipment, regulations, operational procedures etc.
Updating training - a tailor-made programme based on a training needs analysis that identifies additional training is required.

The revalidation process provides a structured and demonstrable means to ensure the competence of VTS personnel is maintained since satisfactorily completing generic VTS training approved by the competent authority and satisfactorily completing on-the-job training at the VTS where the personnel are employed.

Australian Framework

VTS providers must have processes and procedures in place for completing a revalidation process to ensure the competence of holders of a VTS qualification is maintained.

In developing the course content for each of the components of the revalidation process consideration should be given to reinforcing VTSO competencies and best practices and the use of simulation to reinforce the core modules of the IALA Model Courses C0103-1, with a focus on modules such as Provision of VTS and Emergency Situations.

The following table provides further guidance for VTS providers in establishing a revalidation process for their VTS personnel:

Component of revalidation

Frequency

Requirements

Performance assessment

G1156 states that: It is essential that once VTS personnel are qualified and certified, their performance is observed and monitored to ensure that the established competency continues to be met.

Annually

To demonstrate the performance of VTS personnel is being observed and monitored, VTS providers should ensure:

The framework and assessment methods used to undertake performance assessments is documented.
Processes and procedures are in place to ensure performance assessments are completed.
The assessment that an individual VTS operator has satisfactorily completed a performance assessment should be documented / signed off by nominated staff member/s.
The outcomes are reflected in VTS operator training records.

Performance assessments may include a combination of elements, for example:

Proficiency checks
Scenario/ Simulation exercises
Peer review / Check VTSO
Review of Voice Communications
Participation in emergency response or procedural exercises.
Participation in BCP tests and failover exercises

Where a performance assessment indicates established competency is not being met, then updating training with the individual/s should be considered to help maintain their qualifications as described below.

Recurrent training

G1156 states that: Recurrent training provides a mechanism to reassess the competency and proficiency of VTS personnel through a structured and standardized programme.’

‘The course content should be based on the core elements of IALA Model Course C0103-1 (V-103/1) and any specific requirements to meet national or local needs.’

‘Successful completion of a process of recurrent training is necessary to facilitate the revalidation of VTS qualifications.

Intervals not exceeding 5 years

VTS providers should have processes and procedures in place to ensure VTS personnel complete a structured recurrent training programme.

Recurrent training may be delivered either by:

An accredited VTS training organisation, or
A VTS provider approved to provide a recurrent training programme for their own personnel.

Note: VTS providers wishing to deliver recurrent training must apply to AMSA for approval to conduct recurrent training in accordance with IALA model course V-103/5 Revalidation process for VTS Qualifications and Certification as described in Marine Order 64.

Adaption training

IALA G1156 states: Where significant changes to VTS operations are expected, such as changes associated with equipment, regulations, operational procedures, adaptation training should be completed, and where possible, before the change(s) takes place.

As determined by the VTS provider

Processes and procedures are in place to identify where significant changes to VTS operations are expected and whether adaptation training should be developed.

Where adaption training is deemed necessary, consideration should be given to:

completing a needs analysis to determine the nature of the planned change in order to design, develop and implement the required training;
preparing a structured programme with detailed lesson plans and clear learning goals based on the results of the training needs analysis; and
identifying who would be best positioned to develop and deliver adaptation training. This may be in-house, a training organisation, a service provider (e.g., company installing VTS equipment) or a combination of various parties.

Updating training

IALA G1156 states that: Updating training provides a structured means to ensure individual personnel maintain competency and proficiency in circumstances such as:

after a break in service;
an unsatisfactory performance assessment or proficiency check;
upon request; or
when deemed necessary by the authority.

As determined by the VTS provider

Processes and procedures should be in place to identify where updating training is required to ensure individual personnel maintain competency and proficiency in circumstances such as:

after a break in service;
an unsatisfactory performance assessment or proficiency check;
upon request; or
when deemed necessary by the authority

After an event that triggers a requirement for updating training, a training needs analysis should be undertaken to determine any performance gaps and identify training goals and the associated levels of performance to be achieved. The results from the analysis will form the basis of the update training programme.

Updating training will be individually tailored covering generic and/or area specific elements of competency.