CBTA and EBT: The Future Training
Methodologies of Aviation
Training in Human Factors, Dangerous Goods, and Crew Resource Management must continuously evolve to meet the demands of modern flight. To do so, two training methodologies known as CBTA and EBT are increasingly dominating different areas of training. Do your training programmes reflect these approaches?
Competence and evidence. Two factors which are crucial to ensuring safe and efficient operations in aviation. ICAO has already mandated CBTA and EBT as the preferred method for designing and implementing programmes for aviation training as it enhances performance and strengthens non-technical skills.
Essentially, pilots, flight attendants, and aircraft mechanics must receive training which empowers them to excel in their roles. This is where CBTA and EBT come into play.
The one connects the dots between skills and reality. The other uses data insights to enhance learning.
The WHAT: Breaking down CBTA and EBT
But what is the practical difference between ‘competence’ and ‘evidence’?
Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) focuses on developing the relevant competencies and skills required to perform the job effectively. CBTA relies on hands-on training and assessment which is tailored to the specific needs of the organisation.
Evidence-Based Training (EBT), on the other hand, analyses and implements actual flight data and statistics from accidents and incidents into the training. This enables the training programme to undergo continuous improvement by focusing on ‘lessons learned’.
Read more: How Lack of Training Threatens the Aviation Industry
While CBTA emphasises the development and practical application of non-technical skills such as communication, teamwork, decision-making, and situational awareness, EBT offers data-driven insights which contributes to enhancing the training outcome. This furthermore ensures a high level of proficiency in the operational environment.
The MAYDAY Training Tools rely on CBTA and EBT, and they can be easily
implemented into existing CRM and Human Factors training programmes.
The WHY: CBTA and EBT Matter
CBTA and EBT are becoming the training standard of future aviation training. Why? Because every pilot, flight attendant, or maintenance staff must be able to navigate complex scenarios and critical tasks with precision. Competence. Confidence.
By focusing on competence and evidence in the training, aviation professionals can develop and hone non-technical skills such as teamwork, communication, and decision-making. When the training programme prioritises these competencies, the workforce becomes more competent to tackle real-life challenges. Safely and efficiently.
The HOW: Work in Practice
How much does CBTA and EBT affect and alter your existing training programmes? Well, it depends how well you are conducting your training now…
CBTA offers a hands-on approach which emphasises the development of non-technical skills through interactive training scenarios, simulations, case studies, role play, and assessment of performance. Essentially, the training must reflect the tasks and issues pilots and maintenance staff face by virtue of their roles and responsibilities.
Read more: Active Learning is Crucial in Aviation
EBT, however, is more data driven. This means that the training manager incorporates data and evidence to qualify the training, make sustainable strategies, and describe best practice. By analysing past incidents and vast flight data, the organisation is able to identify behaviours, mitigate risks, and make continuous improvements to the training programmes to fit the demands and challenges in the operational environment.
Aviation professionals are ‘competent’ if their knowledge, skills, and attitude
match the demands of the operational environment. We can assess this
by collecting data and observing behaviour.
What’s Not to Like?
In conclusion, CBTA and EBT are not only classroom training methodologies. They essentially reflect a mindset which enhances non-technical skills, mitigates risks, reduces costs, and inspires safety. Across an entire industry. Across the sky.
But CBTA and EBT takes time. Therefore, it is crucial to use the implementation period to assess which competencies the workforce is effective at managing and which competencies could preferably benefit from further training. The scenario-based approach to training that CBTA reflects can essentially expose the core competencies, thus enabling more informed and tailored training. Furthermore, the data that EBT relies on can provide tremendously valuable input to the organisation, enabling them to adapt and improve their training programmes to match their identified problem areas and operations.
Read more: CBTA: Benefits and Barriers for the Aviation Industry
The Rise and Impact of Competency-Based Training and Assessment
In aviation, competency-focused training has been a topic for decades. But it was not until the 2000s that CBTA really gained traction and became formalised. But why is competency-based training so important?
CBTA: Benefits and Barriers for the Aviation Industry
A training methodology known as Competency-Based Training and Assessment has increasingly permeated the aviation industry. But when is a pilot, a flight attendant, or an aircraft technician in fact ‘competent’?
CBTA and EBT: The Future Training Methodologies of Aviation
Two training methodologies known as CBTA and EBT are increasingly dominating different areas of training. Do your training programmes reflect these approaches?
Breaking Down CBTA in Under Two Minutes
Ask yourself this: Are your pilots and flight attendants competent? What about your technicians in the maintenance workshop? And how do you really know that they are ‘competent’?