ATTTO Literacy Project for Aviation Ramp Operators

The Aviation Tourism and Travel Training Organisation (ATTTO) is currently undertaking an embedded literacy project for their Aviation Ramp Operations qualification, with funding from the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) Workplace Literacy Fund. The project has been instigated to help aviation industry trainees improve their literacy, language and numeracy skills in the course of their vocational training.

ATTTO developed the new National Certificate in Aviation (Ramp Operations) (Level 3) in 2009. The qualification was designed to provide ramp operations staff with the opportunity to have their particular skills recognised with a professional workplace qualification. Airport ‘ramps’ are where aircraft are serviced in between flights. Ramp operators are required to load and unload aircrafts; count, weigh and sort baggage or cargo; communicate with a range of airport and airline personnel; and complete forms and documentation.

Ramp operations is a high-risk occupation and staff need training to ensure they can perform their work tasks in a safe and efficient manner. Research has indicated that a disproportionate amount of incidents and accidents in ramp operations are often caused by low workplace literacy due to English being the second language of many employees.

The ATTTO embedded literacy project initially undertook a full analysis of the role of a ramp operator and the tasks performed. Components of key duties were then split into the basic literacy skill groups of reading, writing, speaking and listening, numeracy, and critical thinking. Tasks within each skill group were then categorised by frequency into every day, on a fairly regular basis, or occasionally.

As the project progressed it became apparent that workbooks and other text-based resources were unsuitable for the workers studying for the Ramp Operations qualification. Therefore ATTTO decided to use interactive activities in developing the learning materials for embedding literacy and numeracy skills. For example, they devised a board game based on servicing an aircraft that covers at least five unit standards.

Working collaboratively with employers, trainers and trainees to embed literacy and numeracy into the Ramp Operations qualification resources will help ensure that the aviation industry has employees who can follow procedure, keep themselves and others safe, and confidently handle the broad literacy requirements of their jobs.

WEBSITE: www.attto.org.nz