In the midst of the pandemic turmoil and the continuing shortage of personnel, one of the key issues for the safety and standards of aviation and air cargo, is keeping employees trained and competent.
CargoForwarder Global (CFG) interviewed Airport College International (AC), to learn how the pandemic affected training business on ground handling and air cargo sector.
From left to right: Ari Ketola, COO and Pertti Mero, CEO promote the benefits of online eLearning
CFG: Do you feel airlines / handlers are spending more or less on staff training these days, compared to pre-pandemic?
AC: There was already a shortage of workforce before the pandemic, and this burden continues. People coming and going is also part of new normal, since the trend is no longer to work for the same company forever.
Training is mandatory and online training works well for quickly training new people and at the same keep “old” workforce up-to-date and competent.
We do see that the need to keep people competent and online eLearning will help companies to training their staff in cost efficient way.
CFG: The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digitalization. Does this hold true for training, too? How has Airport College experienced the past almost 2 years?
AC: Yes, we have certainly seen steady growth in the use of eLearning especially in Ground Handling including cargo terminal side too.
CFG: Are Virtual Reality courses on the rise? Will all courses eventually be VR? What are the benefits and Airport College's learnings with VR?
AC: Virtual Reality training courses are on the rise and certainly has a place in our training portfolio. It works for very well for some training topics like ULD inspection, A/C Walkaround Check, and Belt Loader Driver Training, to mention a few.
Virtual reality provides an effective way to allow learners to get hands-on experience without actually executing the job.
Accessing real aviation equipment, such as aircraft, ground support equipment, and ULD in hands-on training is often costly and sometimes difficult to arrange.
In Virtual Reality, trainees can practice skills in a safe and realistic environment. Also, some of the drills may consist of situations or incidents which are not possible to practice in real life.
CFG: What new courses are on the horizon?
AC: Air Cargo Basics will be launched mid-December, aimed at supporting airlines and handlers in onboarding new staff, and we will be updating our courses according to new 2022 IATA Manuals.
Thank you, Brigitte Gledhill, Chief Correspondent, CargoForwarder Global for Interview!
Read the original interview here: https://www.cargoforwarder.eu/2021/12/05/the-college-in-the-cloud/