ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION
TRANSPORTATION WORKING GROUP
SIXTEENTH MEETING, HONG KONG, CHINA

8 – 12 NOVEMBER 1999

STEERING COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

REPORT ON STAGE ONE OF PROJECT 'TOWARDS MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF TRANSPORT PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS'

Submitted by Australia

October 1999

 16^TH APEC TRANSPORTATION WORKING GROUP (TPT-WG) MEETING
HONG KONG, CHINA, 8 –12 NOVEMBER 1999
STEERING COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

AGENDA ITEM:    REPORT ON STAGE ONE OF THE PROJECT
                                 'TOWARDS MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF
                                 TRANSPORT PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS'

Australia

OVERVIEW

Australia through a project steering committee is managing the project 'Towards Mutual Recognition of Transport Professional Qualifications'. Stage One of the project has the following aspects:

• identify relevant transport professions and associated job descriptions;

• clarify information required on entry standards in the priority areas.

The steering committee has prepared a report on Stage One. This report will enable the 16^th Transportation Working Group meeting (TPT-WG-16) to determine the scope of the project before a questionnaire is prepared in Stage Two. The report will also enable the Human Resources Development Steering Committee to review the project objectives and coverage before detailed information is sought, and to recommend any necessary changes to the TPT-WG before the commencement of Stage Two.

BACKGROUND

In June 1997, Transportation Ministers directed the TPT-WG to give consideration to measures that would promote transparency in regulations, resolve differences in conformity assessment and facilitate the mobility of transport personnel by encouraging mutual recognition of professional qualifications.

At the 15th APEC TPT-WG meeting in April 1999 in Santiago, Chile, the proposal project 'Towards Mutual Recognition of Transport Professional Qualifications' was ranked second in priority out of five bids for funding from the APEC Operational Account in the year 2000. APEC funding of $US 49,000 has been approved for the year 2000 with an additional $US20,000 for the conclusion of the project (Stage Four) to be sought during 2000.

The project is aimed at identifying best practice and developing mechanisms for mutual recognition of transport professional qualifications between APEC economies, with

• Stage One being identification of priority areas for attention and clarification of information required on entry standards in the priority areas;
  
• Stage Two: preparation of a survey questionnaire to achieve consistency and comparability of the information to be collected from each economy on the list of professions, with emphasis on entry requirements, examples of co-operative practices with other economies, barriers/impediments and reasons;
  
• Stage Three: analysis of the results collected from economies with a view to identifying relevant factors in the selected occupations to establish scope for a practical model of recommended practices; and
  
• Stage Four: establishment of a framework for recommended practices focusing on particular job characteristics in demand or high degree of mobility; mechanism to facilitate recognition (transparency; consistency; quality assurances in accreditation and recognition system).

PROGRESS SINCE THE 15TH TPT-WG MEETING IN SANTIAGO, CHILE, APRIL 1999

A project steering committee (details at Attachment A) has been formed with five members:

1. Dr Budhi Suyitno, Secretary of Education and Training Agency, Ministry of Communications, Indonesia (co-sponsor);
2. Mr Nigel Mouat, Head – International Relations, Ministry of Transport, New Zealand (another co-sponsor);
3. Dr Jess Browning, Director, Global Trade, Transportation, and Logistics, Washington University, USA;
4. Ms Lynn Reeder, Associate Director, Public Policy, the Institution of Engineers, Australia; and
5. Mr Tony Griffiths (chair), Cross-Modal and Maritime Transport Division, Department of Transport and Regional Services, Australia.

For Stage One, the committee has sought advice on a small number of key transport professions and related information as per Stage One terms of reference from member economies, universities, companies and professional institutions. Responses were received from 7 member economies: Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Hong Kong, China, and New Zealand.

IDENTIFICATION OF KEY TRANSPORT PROFESSIONS

The Committee is mindful that key transport professions could be identified from transport-related professions ranging from specialist professions of certain transport modes (such as air traffic controllers, flight crew, maritime architects, logistics managers) to transport occupations of a general nature such as architecture and engineering with transport specialisations (such as marine/naval architects, aeronautical/ aerospace engineers, maritime engineers, rail engineers).

To avoid duplication and overlapping, the Committee has co-ordinated with the APEC Human Resource Development Working Group which is finalising a project to develop an Engineer Register and a model for mutual recognition of general engineering and other professions. However, this TPT-WG project will address specific transport engineering classifications, taking account of the outcomes of the HRD project.

Land Transport

In land transport, Australia has suggested that railway engineering be identified as a key profession in that there is a shortage of railway engineers in Australia and this trend is likely to continue for some time.

The shortage is aggravated by the continual overseas demand for Australian railway engineers due to a worldwide shortage and the large number of Asian rail construction projects which are continuing despite the region's financial crisis. The most affected areas of railway engineers are in signalling and communications, rolling stock, and track and structures. Australia is also experiencing shortages in train control, data handling and on-board electronics, noise and vibration, overhead line design, and logistics.

In addition to the shortage, railway engineering may have a mutual recognition potential in that standard engineering qualifications (civil, electrical, mechanical etc) which are a basic requirement for a railway engineering profession already have in place recognition arrangements.

Details on the indicative job description of railway engineers as per terms of reference for Stage One are at Attachment B.

Air Transport

In air transport, the Committee has considered that it would be useful at this stage to include major aviation professions such as air traffic controllers, flight crew and licensed aircraft maintenance engineers in Stage One of the Project. This would enable the Committee to utilise information from the Transportation Working Group project in 1996 'Aviation Personnel Licensing', which examined licensing requirements of APEC member economies for these professions.

Outcomes of the surveys of the Aviation Personnel Licensing project have indicated that there is a high degree of commonality in licensing requirements across the region, based principally on International Civil Aviation Organization standards. On this basis, there seems to be scope for this current project to explore avenues to foster an environment which will encourage individual economies to enter into bilateral discussions aiming at achieving mutual recognition of licensing requirements as they consider appropriate.

Inclusion of these aviation professions would give the Committee the opportunity to determine whether it would be feasible to continue work on these aviation occupations or to concentrate on other occupations at a later stage.

The Committee has noted there is an emerging trend involving the contracting of services such as air traffic services from one economy to another. It would therefore be appropriate to take account of such a trend in any strategy on professional recognition.

Details on the general description of aviation professions as per Stage One Terms of Reference are at Attachment C.

Sea Transport

In the maritime sector, the Committee has acknowledged that the International Maritime Organization has in place procedures for the recognition of overseas marine qualifications under the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Convention. In 1995, the Convention was revised to include the introduction of strict new controls enabling IMO to validate the training and certification procedures of Parties to the Convention to ensure that the qualifications issued to seafarers meet IMO standards.

Parties to the Convention will have access to the list of member countries whose seafarer competency certificates are 'IMO-compliant'. Those countries not on the list may not have their certificates accepted by other countries, which could limit their trade and employment prospects. Most APEC economies are parties to this Convention.

Therefore it would not be useful to include maritime professions in this project as it would duplicate an existing well established recognition framework. However, the project should be able to draw on the merits of international standards under this Convention.

Intermodal/Logistics Systems Transport

The Committee notes that there is an emerging trend of a departure from a single mode approach to transport policy and administration towards a cross modal focus integrating modal operations to provide seamless, end-to-end movements that allow firms to capture and sustain competitive advantage in national and international markets.

As a result, the management of intermodal/logistics transport systems is gaining momentum in global trade - freight being moved on increasingly integrated supply chain systems and distribution networks. Producers are turning to logistics services for their distribution needs to take advantage of efficiencies in transport, inventory management, handling, damage control to reduce logistics costs and improve quality service. Such services may include multimodal transport systems, warehousing and final assembly to suit various markets. Transport organisations need to become intermodal/logistics orientated to compete effectively.

As customers are demanding flexible, connected and continuous journeys from point to point, new technologies (such as electronic commerce and electronic data interchange systems) are required to develop efficient intermodalism through better planning, tracking and auditing of intermodal moves as well as better road and rail access to and from sea and air ports.

The solutions to many problems now and in the future will require coordinated action by national governments acting internationally.

Against this background, Australia has recognised the need for an integrated logistics approach in its transport trade. Australia's Department of Transport and Regional Services has been looking at ways to improve Australia's exports by identifying barriers in the 'through chain' management of transport logistics both within Australia and in target markets overseas. It is also providing strategic leadership by facilitating industry identification of practical solutions at enterprise level.

Given the increasing important logistics role in global trade, the Committee has considered appropriate to include intermodal/logistics systems managers as another priority profession; managers who may be responsible for all or some aspects of logistics chain management.

Although the intermodal/logistics systems profession seems to require no special entry licensing like aviation specialist professions, it would be necessary for this profession to have the necessary understanding and knowledge available from relevant training institution and university courses. A logistics job profile is at Attachment D.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

The Committee recommends that the TPT-WG

• consider the report on Stage One to determine the scope of the project before a questionnaire is prepared in Stage Two of the Project;
  
• agree on the professions selected in Stage One of the Project;
  
• agree that the project proceed to Stage Two; and
  
• encourage member economies to actively participate in the work of Stage Two of the project.

Steering Committee (Stage One of the Project)

Description

The Railway Engineering discipline concerns the research, design, development, manufacture, installation, operation, maintenance and management of railway facilities and equipment.

Specific expertise areas include:

• electric operations - both 1500 volts DC and 25,000 volts AC;

• heavy haulage rail engineering;
  
• track and structures;
  
• multi-gauge operations - narrow, standard and broad gauge;
  
• manufacture and maintenance of locomotives and rolling stock;
  
• signalling and communications;
  
• train control and operations;
  
• contract administration

Entry Requirements

Entry into the Railway Engineering Profession in Australia is generally by way of a Bachelor of Engineering and appropriate experience.

* based on Railway Engineering Competency Profiles Publication (1^st Edition), published in 1998 by the Institution of Engineers, Australia.

Description – Flight Crew

This project is targeted at licences relating to categories of student, private (no remuneration), commercial (for hire or reward), airline transport pilot and flight engineer. In Australia, ultralight, glider and balloon Federations are authorised to issue licences to their members.

Entry Requirements

Depending on licence types and ratings, applicants must fulfil age (a minimum age from 17 to 21), medical fitness, knowledge, skill and experience requirements.

For example, apart from requirements on skill, experience (exceeding authorised 1500 flying hours) and medical fitness, an applicant for an airline transport pilot licence is required to have:

• a level of knowledge of air law (relevant rules and regulations; rules of the air; appropriate air traffic services practices and procedures); aircraft general knowledge (electrical, hydraulic, pressurisation and other aeroplane systems; flight control systems; and other aircraft operation systems); flight performance and planning (such as loading and mass distribution on aeroplane handling, flight characteristics and performance); human performance and limitations relating to airline transport pilot; meteorology; navigation; operational procedures; principles of flight.

Description – Air Traffic Controllers

Air traffic controllers manage the safe and orderly flow of aircraft into, out of and between airports; control tower operators are responsible for aircraft and vehicle movement on the taxiways, runways and immediate vicinity of the aerodrome; terminal area controllers use radar to manage and arrange the flow of aircraft arriving at and departing from the major international airports.

Entry Requirements

According to the APEC Aviation Personnel Licensing Project, most economies use the ICAO licensing system (Annex 1); the USA uses its own system established by the US Federal Aviation Administration. Some economies use a combination of both the ICAO system and their own systems.

ICAO Annex 1 stipulates that successful ATC applicants meet minimum requirements, including a level knowledge appropriate to licence ratings:

• air law, air traffic control equipment; general knowledge on flight, operation, and function of aircraft, powerplants and systems, aircraft performances relating to air traffic control operations; human performance and limitations relevant to air traffic control; language/s designated for use in air traffic control; aeronautical meteorology; air navigation principles, systems and visual aids; and operational procedures (air traffic control, communications).

In addition, applicants must complete an approved training course and pass a medical fitness assessment.

In Australia, applicants will also require satisfactory passes in the High School Certificate or Year 12 equivalent, including English, maths and at least one science subject.

Airservices Australia is responsible for the selection process which mainly involves a series of aptitude tests, interviews and assessments, medical and fitness examination and security check before embarking on a professional training course.

Description – Aircraft Maintenance Engineers

Aircraft maintenance engineers fit, maintain and repair aircraft engines, airframe, airframe systems, electrical instrument and radio systems, and aircraft sheet metal components.

There are several specialisations of aircraft maintenance engineering, depending on types of aircraft and equipment, three main categories being: avionics (electrical, electronic, instrument and radio systems); mechanical (airframes, engines and associated components and systems); structures (aircraft sheet metal and non-metallic composite material components).

Entry Requirements

Licensing requirements include

• a level of knowledge (air law and airworthiness requirements, natural science and aircraft general knowledge, aircraft engineering, aircraft maintenance, human performance and limitations);

• experience in the inspection, servicing and maintenance of aircraft or its components (2 – 4 years);

• training according the ICAO guidelines;

• skill (demonstrated ability to perform those functions applicable to the rating of a licence).

In Australia, an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence is required to certify for work on aircraft according to manufacturers' hand books. Licensing and examinations are the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Description

This profession may include: supply chain manager; intermodal operations manager; intermodal/logistics systems strategic planning manager. It may involve the management of all (or any of) aspects of a freight administration chain from origin to destination, including haulage, transport, warehousing, distribution, packaging and technology.

Specific expertise areas include management in:

• intermodal systems; general logistics; supply chain; freight transport; maritime logistics; retailing logistics.

Entry Requirements

In general, there are no particular entry requirements for this profession.

However, given the growing importance of logistics management for international trade, a requirement for suitable profession qualifications is likely to become increasingly important. There may be some benefit to giving further consideration to intermodal/logistics management profession entry requirements, or to suitable training/ educational benchmarks for this profession that should be encouraged by APEC economies.

*Sources:

• various university/training institution programs on logistics management courses.

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