Continuation training

The AMC- states that "The purpose of continuation training is primarily to ensure that all staff remain current in terms of human factors and also to collect feedback on human factors issues". In order to be most cost effective, continuation training should concentrate upon those areas within the company where problems and errors are occurring, and where human factors training is most necessary.These may be identified from the quality system, occurrence reporting/ MEMS system, or other mechanisms.
The continuation training itself may be used as an opportunity for two way feedback: (i) for the
trainers to hear what problems the staff are encountering with respect to human factors and safety,and to pass these on to the quality department and senior management for appropriate action, and (ii) for the staff to be advised of what problems are current, recent incidents from which they can learn, any new safety initiatives, as well as refresher training on topical human factors areas.
               Continuation training is an important means of keeping staff involved in the ongoing human factors and error management programme. Without staff 'buy-in', such programmes are destined to fail.Feedback to staff, based on issues they have raised during previous continuation, is important, and helps with the 'buy-in' process.
Continuation training for human factors trainers, human factors programme managers and those staff who may not be able to attend company continuation training sessions for some reason (such as contract staff), may take the form of attendance at conferences, seminars and workshops on maintenance human factors, where appropriate. However, it should be remembered that such presentations, whilst useful for keeping up-to-date on human factors, are unlikely to address specific company problems, so should be looked upon as additional, rather than alternatives, to in-house company continuation training.
           Continuation training may take place throughout the year in the form of a company safety magazine, website or other mechanism for communication. However, this does not guarantee that staff will read the information given to them, nor does it easily allow for two-way feedback, therefore an occasion where staff can get together and discuss the issues, is recommended, in addition to ongoing feedback.
       Continuation training should not take the form of repetition of syllabus items just for the sake of it - the opportunity should be used to address real, topical issues which are of concern. These issues will often be linked to technical issues, in which case the continuation training opportunity could be used to address both human factors and technical problems. While there are still human factors problems to be resolved and maintenance errors occurring, continuation training is key to maintaining staff buy-in year on year.