The Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company of South Africa has been awarded the 2012 International Air Transport Association Worldwide Top Regional Training Partner for the second year in succession.

This award signifies the success that the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) has been having as a training academy in the aviation industry as it strives to promote safer skies in Africa by providing training of the highest standards.

South Africa is the leader in aviation safety on the African continent, and with the current and future achievements made by the ATN academy, is viewed as the benchmark with which other African states can follow.

The selection and subsequent awarding of the award recognises the impressive results and outstanding contribution by the training academy in developing the air transport industry human capital. To qualify for the award a training organisation needs to have conducted more than 30 International Air Transport Association(IATA)accredited courses and trained more than 500 students in a year.

One of ATNS’s key strategic initiatives is to bring South Africa’s small but highly capable aerospace industry in line with the requirements of the global supply chain, by creating skilled and sustainable jobs. Human resources development is central to this, especially relating to transformation, to address historical racial imbalances while creating a pipeline of qualified and competent talent. Similarly, attracting and crucially, retaining highly skilled workers are key elements to its success.

Along with aircraft build quality and adequate infrastructure, there is also the need for efficient and professional staff to operate airlines, airports, air traffic control and many other essential services in the industry.

Training continues to be one of the most important aspects of this organisation’s work. In October 2011, ATNS unveiled its new 3D simulator, which was developed in partnership with Airways New Zealand. With this new device, ATNS is able to recreate any airport terrain in the world and simulate virtually any flight conditions or operational difficulties, to prepare candidates for the real thing.

Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) Company of South Africa is the sole provider of air traffic, navigation, training and associated services within South Africa and some parts of Africa. Responsible for 10% of the world’s airspace, ATNS proudly manages more than halfamillion arrival and departure movements every year while maintaining ISO 9001:2000 accreditation.

Photo: Acting ATNS CEO, ThabaniMthiyane, was presented the award at the IATA head Office in Montreal, Canada, by Mark Hubble, IATA senior vice-president.