In order to promote and gain leverage for NGAP among all stakeholders, it is critical to adopt a data-driven approach that justifies the future investment of resources in NGAP initiatives. ICAO initially launched the NGAP programme in 2009 to address the forecasted shortage of aviation professionals.

 Due to the importance of NGAP issues, ICAO has determined that it is critical to provide greater support to this work and, as a result, has elevated the NGAP initiative to an ICAO Programme.  The ICAO NGAP Programme will be incorporated into the ICAO Global Plans, both for safety and air navigation, as well as the ICAO Business Plan and Work Programme.

NGAP Sri Lanka programme was officially launched at the 53rd DGCA conference - 2016 in the presence of Hon. Minister of Transport & Civil Aviation, President of ICAO, Secretary General of ICAO, Regional Director (Asia & Pacific Region) ICAO, Secretary and Additional Secretary- Ministry of Transport & Civil Aviation, Chairman - CAASL, Vice Chairman - CAASL, DGCA & CEO - CAASL, The Delegates, Director Generals of Civil Aviation in Asia & Pacific Countries and Several other well-known personalities in aviation, were present to witness this short but colorful informal launching Ceremony. Over forty school Children representing assorted school Aeronautical societies, who shall be the future beneficiaries of NGAPSL programme, invited by CAASL activity participated in the Programme. 

International level provision

ICAO concepts on Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) 

  Reference to http://www.icao.int/safety/ngap/Pages/default.aspx

It has been recognized by the international aviation community that there will be an anticipated shortage of skilled aviation professionals in the near future. In order to address this important issue, ICAO launched the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) initiative to ensure that enough qualified and competent aviation professionals are available to operate, manage and maintain the future international air transport system.

National level provision 

A National Civil Aviation policy for Sri Lanka 

Reference to – Section 23 (Human Resources Development) of above policy document linked in,  

http://www.caa.lk/images/stories/Policy/NCAP.pdf 

The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) recognizes the importance of a trained, qualified, experienced and skilled aviation workforce to steer the industry forward, safely and professionally. In this context, the GoSL will join hands with the ICAO in promoting Next Generation Aviation Professional (NGAP) Programme in Sri Lanka whereby future human resources are identified and appropriate training provided.

To develop strategies, best practices, tools, standards and guidelines as applicable and to facilitate information sharing activities that assist the state Aviation community in attracting, educating, training and retaining the next generation of Aviation professionals, thereby developing their enthusiasm in the industry and providing them with opportunities to serve the Aviation industry.

Reference - ICAO 39th session of Assembly 

• Establishment of a national forum to communicate and assist industry stakeholders in identifying their long-term human resources needs and establishing strategies to attract, educate, training and retain aviation professionals.

• Assistance to industry by providing guidance and tools for engaging the next generation and promoting aviation amongst youth as a viable career.

Advisory Panel  

• Chairman, CAASL
• Members of the CAASL board
• Secretary, Ministry of Transport & Civil Aviation
• Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education
• Secretary, Ministry of Education
• Secretary, Ministry of Public Enterprise Development
• NGAP Sri Lanka Programme National Committee 

 Members of the National Committee, 

(Ex -Officio) 

• President to the NGAP Sri Lanka Programme  – Mr. H.M.C. Nimalsiri, Director General of Civil Aviation & Chief Executive Officer - CAASL 
• Vice President to the NGAP Sri Lanka Programme  – Mr. Atula Jayawickrama, Additional Director General - CAASL 

• Secretary to the NGAP Sri Lanka  Programme & NGAP National Coordinator – Mr. G C G P Dabarera, Personnel Assistance to Chairman cum Board Secretary - CAASL

• Head of Aviation Academic Development committee   - Mr. K.M.M.N. Dissanayake, Director , Research Development Planning & Special Programme - CAASL 

• Head of Aviation Awareness committee – Mr. Prabhath Kularathna, Assistant Manager, Civil Aviation Promotions - CAASL 

            (Nominated by DGCA and CEO of CAASL)

•  Consultant to the NGAP Sri Lanka Programme - Mr. Rayhan Wanniappa, Director, Air Transport & Economic Regulations - CAASL  

• Assistant Secretary to the NGAP Sri Lanka Programme  - Mr. N Navajeevan, Civil Aviation Inspector, Air Traffic Management OPS - CAASL  

• Head of Aviation Professional Development Committee - Ms. Chanika Manawaduge, Assistant Manager, International Relations - CAASL 

Representatives from below institution or organization

• Rep. of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited
• Rep. of Sri Lankan Airlines 
• Rep. of AASL Training Center 
• Rep. of Sri Lankan Aviation college
• Rep. of NGAP volunteer enablers group

 Method of selection

• Designations defined in the National committee, shall be filled by CAASL appropriate designated persons as stated in Sec. 8 (a)

• In addition to above, specific consideration shall be given by president to NGAP Sri Lanka Programme based on merit performance on previous activities of NGAP Sri Lanka project (e.g active performance on NGAP Sri Lanka initiative programme held at the 53rd DGCA conference)

• CAASL authority approval shall be obtained for composition  

 Working mechanism

• The NGAP Sri Lanka National Committee Programme meets at least once a time a three month, or when necessary at the call of the president of NGAP Sri Lanka Programme. 

• Meeting dates and times should be specified a year in advance

Task of the Committee 

Overall Roles and Responsibilities 

The NGAP Sri Lanka Programme National Committee assists the NGAP Sri Lanka programme with its responsibilities for its mission, vision, objective and Master Action Plan.

Specific Responsibilities

The specific responsibilities of the NGAP Sri Lanka Programme National Committee include: 

• Making recommendations to the full NGAP Sri Lanka Programme related to the NGAP Sri Lanka programme mission, vision, strategic initiatives, major programs and services subjected to this.

• Helping NGAP Sri Lanka programme to identify critical strategic issues. Assisting in analysis of alternative strategic options.

• Ensuring NGAP Sri Lanka programme has established an effective strategic planning process, including development of a three to five year action plan with measurable goals and time targets.

• Understanding the NGAP Sri Lanka programme industry, market/community, and core competencies. Keeping up-to-date on industry and local market trends, and other opportunities to improve the scope, cost effectiveness and quality of services provided by the NGAP Sri Lanka Programme.

• Periodically reviewing the mission, vision and action plan, and recommending changes to the NGAP Sri Lanka programme

• Preparation and Annually reviewing the action plan and recommending updates as needed based on changes in the market, community needs, and other factors

• Preparation, Reviewing and forwarding to the NGAP Sri Lanka programme action plan of subsidiary committees/ groups to assure they are aligned with the system’s strategic direction and goals

• Reviewing major new programs and services subjected NGAP Sri Lanka programme to achieve its objectives.

• Develop the proposal to establish Sri Lanka as an “Aviation Training Hub” in order to set up a National Civil Aviation Training Co-ordination Centre with a view to marketing local aviation training facilities and services.

• Developing criteria for NGAP Sri Lanka programme to use in evaluating potential strategic investments. E.g. 

Awareness, Education and professional development for Drone OPS

Explanation of CAI/ AM Training programme   

• Coordination and Cooperation with ICAO to sharing information and resources in terms of technical staff, guidance materials, tools as well as get their feedbacks on NGAP Sri Lanka programme need assessments/ projects to effective and efficient implementation 

• Assessment, Analyze of ICAO NGAP programme concepts/ projects and implementation of those as when applicable comply with state requirement.
• Initiate rivalry efforts to establish in long term objective, regional forum to sharing their NGAP programme concepts among its contacting states.  

• Coordinate with other Aviation professional bodies recognized by ICAO and CAASL such as ACI, CANSO, IATA, etc…. to sharing information and resources as well as get comments on NGAP Sri Lanka Programme principles, concepts and project implementation as when required. 

• Preparation and review of Annual budget programme of NGAP Sri Lanka Programme  within its financial limitation

• Appointing members for other committees/ groups and review and expand the organization structure as when required.   

• Assisting in development of a strategic dashboard of key indicators.

• Preparation, implementation and review of effective reporting hierarchy to ensure the smooth information flow throughout organization structure.    

Make request to ICAO – NGAP unit to oversight the NGAP Sri Lanka programme performance against measurable targets (e.g., growing on professional staff strength, increase in NGAP Sri Lanka Programme memberships) or progress points (e.g., New training programme on Aviation)  

• Volunteer Consultant group 
• Committee for Aviation Awareness
• Committee for Academic Development
• Committee for Aviation Professional Development
• NGAP volunteer enablers group
• Implementation supportive group

Secretary to the NGAP – Sri Lanka Programme and NGAP National Coordinator with view to be the local point of contact and liaise with ICAO in regard to Sri Lanka’s contribution and participation needed for ICAO NGAP activities.

• Meetings related to NGAP Sri Lanka Programme National committee shall be chaired by President or Vice President to the NGAP Sri Lanka.

• Correspondences pertaining to NGAP Sri Lanka programme such as call for meetings, events coordination with other relevant entities locally and internationally shall be initiated by Secretary to the NGAP Sri Lanka progarmme and NGAP National coordinator in collaboration with president to the NGAP Sri Lanka programme.

• Corresponding documents, reports, instructions, etc… by post, e-mail or other means shall be shared by Secretary to the NGAP Sri Lanka Programme and NGAP National coordinator with approval of president to the NGAP Sri Lanka progarmme.   

• Appropriate budget and financial resource allocation shall be undertaken through Aviation development budget under Development Planning & Special Programmes Section – CAASL
• Accept other financial assistances from resources such as recognized aviation professional bodies internally and locally as when provisions granted.