The Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) Aviation Training Academy (ATA), in conjunction with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), held a Graduation Ceremony on Friday, 11 October 2013, at the Birchwood hotel, Boksburg, South Africa.

75 students from South Africa, Swaziland and Namibia were conferred with various aviation qualifications.

Focusing on important issues such as safety management; aviation security; Air Navigation Services management; civil aviation, project and air traffic services management, these qualifications will equip participants with the knowledge and skills to assume leadership roles in today’s complex civil aviation environment. Consequently, they will benefit from IATA’s global vision and experience in the air transport industry and ATNS expertise in providing safe, orderly, expeditious and efficient air traffic, navigation and associated services.

The afore-mentioned courses are focused – in particular – on aviation because of its importance in the development of modern societies, and its key role in the economic development of participating states.

ATNS CEO, Thabani Mthiyane said the collaboration between ATNS and IATA was about raising standards and developing career paths across the aviation sector. "Air transport is one of the world’s most important industries, and training plays a vitally important role within it," concluded Thabani.

There are different programmes available between IATA and various universities across the globe. IATA is in the process of liaising with various universities in South Africa to offer an MBA in Aviation.

Since April 2000, the ATNS ATA has proudly trained more than 4,000 international and local delegates as part of this ATNS/IATA training initiative. This project promotes common values and improves the quality of human resources in the continent – through mutual learning, comparison and exchange of good practice.