Safety Management Systems (SMS) –
Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA)
Delivery Mode
Instructor-Led
Aviation Professional Training
Duration
5 Days
40 Hours
Delegate Fees
USD 700
Excl. VAT.
Registration
View Timetable
Contact Training Team
Course Overview & Strategic Objectives
The Safety Management Systems (SMS) – Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) course equips aviation professionals with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to effectively implement, maintain, and improve Safety Management Systems in accordance with ICAO Annex 19, the ICAO Safety Management Manual (Doc 9859), and applicable civil aviation authority requirements.
The course adopts a competency-based approach, ensuring participants not only understand SMS principles but can also apply them in real operational environments. Participants will develop practical competence in hazard identification, risk assessment, safety reporting, safety assurance, safety promotion, and safety performance monitoring across aviation organizations such as airlines, Approved Training Organizations (ATOs), airports, maintenance organizations, and air navigation service providers.
- 5 Days (SMS CBTA for Managers and Executives) – USD 700 Subject to VAT – Total Training Hours: 40 Hours
- 2 Days (SMS CBTA for other job functions) – USD 200 Subject to VAT
Detailed Course Curriculum
8 Competency / Learning Outcome Areas
- Explain the ICAO framework for Safety Management Systems.
- Apply the four components and twelve elements of an effective SMS.
- Identify hazards using proactive and reactive safety reporting methods.
- Conduct safety risk assessments and implement appropriate risk controls.
- Develop and monitor Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs) and Safety Performance Targets (SPTs).
- Participate effectively in internal safety investigations and safety assurance activities.
- Promote a positive safety culture within their organization.
- Demonstrate competence in applying SMS principles through practical workplace scenarios.
Course Objectives
- Explain the ICAO framework for Safety Management Systems.
- Apply the four components and twelve elements of an effective SMS.
- Identify hazards using proactive and reactive safety reporting methods.
- Conduct safety risk assessments and implement appropriate risk controls.
- Develop and monitor Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs) and Safety Performance Targets (SPTs).
- Participate effectively in internal safety investigations and safety assurance activities.
- Promote a positive safety culture within their organization.
- Demonstrate competence in applying SMS principles through practical workplace scenarios.
Instructional Methods
- The course follows the Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) methodology, combining theoretical instruction with practical application to develop measurable workplace competencies.
- The training includes:
- Interactive Instructor-Led Sessions: Guided discussions on ICAO SMS requirements, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices.
- Scenario-Based Learning: Realistic aviation scenarios that require participants to identify hazards, assess risks, and make operational safety decisions.
- Practical Workshops: Hands-on exercises in risk assessment, safety reporting, occurrence analysis, and safety performance monitoring.
- Case Study Analysis: Review of aviation incidents and accidents to understand SMS implementation and lessons learned.
- Group Activities: Collaborative problem-solving exercises that reinforce teamwork and safety decision-making.
- Competency Assessments: Continuous assessment through practical exercises, classroom participation, and performance-based evaluation aligned with CBTA principles.
- Instructor Feedback: Individual coaching and structured feedback to support competency development throughout the course.
Target Group
- Safety Managers and Safety Officers
- Flight Operations Personnel
- Flight Dispatchers
- Pilots and Flight Instructors
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineers
- Air Traffic Services Personnel
- Airport Operations Staff
- Quality Assurance Personnel
- Aviation Supervisors and Managers
- Personnel involved in SMS implementation or oversight
Teaching Methodology
- The course follows the Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) methodology, combining theoretical instruction with practical application to develop measurable workplace competencies.
- The training includes:
- Interactive Instructor-Led Sessions: Guided discussions on ICAO SMS requirements, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices.
- Scenario-Based Learning: Realistic aviation scenarios that require participants to identify hazards, assess risks, and make operational safety decisions.
- Practical Workshops: Hands-on exercises in risk assessment, safety reporting, occurrence analysis, and safety performance monitoring.
- Case Study Analysis: Review of aviation incidents and accidents to understand SMS implementation and lessons learned.
- Group Activities: Collaborative problem-solving exercises that reinforce teamwork and safety decision-making.
- Competency Assessments: Continuous assessment through practical exercises, classroom participation, and performance-based evaluation aligned with CBTA principles.
- Instructor Feedback: Individual coaching and structured feedback to support competency development throughout the course.
Tailored Across Aviation Sectors
Course content and competency development are mapped to the operational roles identified in the approved course write-up.
Safety Leadership & Airport Operations
Safety Managers, Safety Officers, and Airport Operations Staff.
Flight Operations & Quality Assurance
Flight Operations Personnel and Quality Assurance (QA) Personnel.
Flight Dispatch & Operational Management
Flight Dispatchers (Flight Operations Officers) and Aviation Supervisors/Managers
Flight Crew & Training Oversight
Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Personnel involved in SMS Implementation or Oversight.
Maintenance & Engineering Operations
Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs), Technicians, and Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO) Personnel.
Air Traffic Services & Navigation
Air Traffic Services (ATS) Personnel, Air Traffic Controllers, and Air Navigation Support Staff.
Assessment & Official Credential
Assessment & Official Credential
Participants who successfully demonstrate the required competencies will receive a Certificate of Completion in Safety Management Systems (SMS) – Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA), recognizing their competence in applying SMS principles within aviation operations.
Regulatory Alignment
ICAO Annex 19, ICAO Safety Management Manual (Doc 9859), and applicable civil aviation authority requirements.
Practical Application
The course follows the Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) methodology, combining theoretical instruction with practical application to develop measurable workplace competencies.
Learning Outcomes
Explain the ICAO framework for Safety Management Systems.
Training Outcome
Participants who successfully demonstrate the required competencies will receive a Certificate of Completion in Safety Management Systems (SMS) – Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA), recognizing their competence in applying SMS principles within aviation operations.
Practical Learning & Course Resource Vault
Applied learning activities drawn directly from the course teaching methodology.
Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment Workshop
This activity follows the Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) methodology, combining theoretical instruction with practical application to develop measurable workplace competencies. Participants construct real-world hazard registers, evaluate operational risks using standard ICAO matrices, and design targeted mitigation strategies. You will establish measurable safety performance indicators for effective risk management.
Incident Investigation & Safety Assurance Simulation
This practical training includes immersive, scenario-based occurrence investigations and safety assurance audits. Trainees perform root-cause analyses using ICAO and MEDA frameworks, conduct internal compliance gap analyses, and identify organizational vulnerabilities. You will gain hands-on experience formulating enterprise Corrective Action Plans (CAP) complete with clear accountability metrics and implementation timelines
Frequently Asked Questions
Safety Management Systems (SMS) CBTA training is a structured program designed to build specific, measurable workplace competencies in aviation safety management. Following ICAO guidelines, it moves beyond traditional theoretical testing by evaluating how effectively operational personnel apply safety principles, hazard identification, and risk mitigation strategies in real-world workplace scenarios.
This course is designed for aviation professionals across all operational sectors, including Safety Managers, Quality Assurance Auditors, Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, Flight Dispatchers, Pilots, and Air Traffic Control staff. It tailors learning outcomes to specific operational roles to ensure targeted safety performance and effective hazard reporting within your organization.
Traditional training often focuses on rote memorization and passing written examinations. In contrast, Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) evaluates demonstrated job performance. Trainees engage in practical activities, such as constructing hazard registers and conducting incident investigations, proving they can execute critical safety tasks competently in actual operational environments.
Assessment relies on practical performance criteria rather than simple multiple-choice quizzes. Instructors evaluate participants on hands-on deliverables, including constructing real-world risk matrices, conducting root-cause incident analyses, executing internal safety audits, and drafting enterprise Corrective Action Plans (CAPs). Trainees achieve certification once they consistently demonstrate job-ready, practical workplace competencies.
Yes. The SMS CBTA curriculum fully aligns with ICAO Annex 19, ICAO Doc 9859 Safety Management Manual standards, and regional civil aviation authority regulations. It equips aviation organizations to build robust safety management systems, fulfill mandatory regulatory compliance, and foster a proactive, data-driven safety culture across all operational departments.
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Details to Consider
- Course: Safety Management Systems (SMS) – Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA)
- Duration: (Duration may be adjusted depending on the applicable CBTA function category and regulatory requirements.)
- Function / Regulatory Requirement Dependent
- Current fee and intake dates: confirm with Think Aviation Training
- Contact: +254 711 483 483 or info@think.co.ke
Course Registration & Corporate Training Enquiries
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Request the current individual fee, corporate quotation, intake dates and registration requirements.