Definition
Certification is a formal assessment and confirmation by the Competent Authority for civil aviation security, or on its behalf, that a person possesses the necessary competence to perform the duties assigned to them to an acceptable standard, as defined by the Competent Authority.
Objectives
The objectives of the certification system for staff responsible for security screening and for civil aviation security instructors and inspectors/auditors are:
- ensure that security standards are applied satisfactorily on a consistent and reliable basis;
- provide important information on the strengths and weaknesses of aviation security procedures in general, as well as those of each staff, as part of the quality control mechanism;
- provide a valuable basis for staff development, for assessing the effectiveness of training, for improving training procedures and for boosting motivation.
- the certification system must be
- fair, swift, reliable, valid and standardised;
- must be independent of the person who delivered the initial training, on-the-job training and refresher or skill maintenance training, in order to prevent conflicts of interest.
Scope
The certification system applies to:
- Staff responsible for inspecting/screening:
- Passengers and hand luggage;
- Checked luggage, cargo, post, mail services, COMAT and COMAIL.
- Vehicles;
- AVSEC Instructors;
- AVSEC Inspectors/Auditors.
Competent authority
- The Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for implementing the certification system;
- it may, under its supervision, delegate this task to an independent third party;
- The Department in charge of civil aviation security at the CCAA plans, prepares and oversees the certification process for aviation security personnel.
The national certification system for inspection/screening officers must at least include the following key elements:
- the programme’s objectives;
- the assessment of compliance with the selection criteria;
- requirements for initial, on-the-job and periodic training;
- the requirements for certification examinations (theory and practical);
- the criteria for certification and for maintaining certification;
- a description of proficiency and assessment tests.
Description of the tasks to be certified
a- Inspection/screening
- Checking the power supply and starting up the equipment;
- Equipment calibration and testing;
- Documentary check;
- Access control at security gates;
- Possible manual search/possible body search;
- Checking the company’s labels:
- Placing luggage on the conveyor belt;
- Fluoroscopic examination;
- Affixing safety labels;
- Checking licences and valid access passes for individuals and vehicles;
- Airside access control;
- Searching the interior and exterior of vehicles;
- Identification and/or detection of prohibited items;
- Procedures to be followed if prohibited items are found;
- Use of equipment;
- Drafting incident reports.
b- Instruction
- course preparation;
- course facilitation;
- assessment of learners;
- addressing interns’ challenges;
- class management;
- drafting of end-of-course reports.
c- Inspection/Audit
- Verification of the compliance of measures with standards;
- Assessment of the level of security achieved and the effectiveness of the measures;
- Identifying shortcomings and monitoring the implementation of corrective measures;
- Recording offences, gathering evidence, apprehending offenders and referring cases to the relevant law enforcement body in the capacity of a special investigating officer;
- Calling in law enforcement officers where necessary.
Definition of skills
a- Inspection/screening officers
- mastery of international and national legislation;
- knowledge of the civil aviation security system;
- knowledge of ground security measures;
- knowledge of emergency procedures;
- general knowledge of terrorism;
- be able to recognise and interpret the objects revealed through fluoroscopic images;
- have good interpersonal skills;
- have good writing skills.
b- Instructors
- good general knowledge;
- proven knowledge of the aviation security system;
- knowledge of emergency procedures;
- general knowledge of terrorism;
- knowledge of threat assessment and risk management;
- good oral and written communication skills;
- knowledge of the air transport sector operation;
- good physical condition.
c- Inspectors/Auditors
- general knowledge of terrorism;
- good oral and written communication skills;
- good interpersonal skills;
- a good knowledge of aviation security regulations;
- good report-writing skills;
- mastery of investigation techniques;
- knowledge of the air transport sector operations;
- good physical condition.
Elimination criteria
In addition to the criteria set out for each category, training of AVSEC, ICAO or IATA instructors, X-ray screening and dangerous goods is recommended.
Application file
- A handwritten application addressed to the Director General of the CCAA;
- Certified copies of the required certificates;
- Curriculum vitae;
- Certificate of non-conviction;
- Medical certificate;
- Undertaking to accept legal proceedings in the event of a false statement;
- Copies of certificates of previous aviation security training;
- Proof of previous employment.
Elimination criteria
- Physically and/or mentally unfit;
- Criminal record;
- Academic deficiencies;
- Membership or association with a terrorist group;
- Failed background check;
- Inability to communicate effectively.
Trainings
a- Inspection/screening officers
- Basic training;
- Specialised training;
- Periodic training;
- Continuing professional development.
b- Instructors
- Initial training;
- Required training;
- Specialised training;
- Periodic training.
c- Inspectors/Auditors
- Initial training;
- Required training;
- Specialised training;
- Periodic training.
Jury
a- Jury composition
The jury composition is determined by the CCAA.
b- Appointment of members
The Director General of the CCAA appoints the members of the jury by name by means of a decision.
c- Missions
Assessment of candidates and submission of results to the CCAA.
Application form
The certification comprises two stages: a theoretical stage and a practical stage.
Certification procedure
a- Theoretical stage:
following the classroom-based training (initial and periodic), a theory test must be held. This must be in written form and consist of 100 multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank questions on general knowledge and aviation security.
b- Practical stage:
It covers:
- the ability to use security equipment and apply standard operating procedures (analysis of 50 projected images) regarding inspection/screening officers;
- for instructors, the ability to deliver training;
- for inspectors/auditors, the ability to carry out quality control activities.
c- Pass average:
To be admitted, candidates must achieve an average mark of 80% in the theoretical part and 80% in the practical part.
Lost of certification
Certification is withdrawn in any of the following cases:
- expiry of the certification (3 or 2 years), as applicable;
- breach of the code of ethics and professional conduct;
- two consecutive failures to complete remedial training following an unsatisfactory performance review or test;
- resignation;
- reaching the age limit (70);
- loss of essential physical and/or mental abilities, duly certified by an aviation medical doctor.
Recertification is required in the following cases:
- the expiry of the previous certification;
- following a failure to complete remedial training after a poor performance review.
Failure to pass the recertification process will result in permanent disqualification.
Certification, recertification and maintenance procedures must take into account the results of periodic performance assessments, test results and feedback from line managers. These procedures are described in:
- the National Certification Programme for Inspection/Screening Officers, Instructors and Inspectors;
the National Civil Aviation Security Quality Control Programme;
- the National Civil Aviation Security Training Programme.