The purpose of this tutorial is to explain how to create and design the seven training programs in section 6 of the TMC Operator Requirements and Position Descriptions document. Although the eighth training program is discussed in this tutorial, only specialists or professional instructors should conduct the training. This tutorial was designed for use in conjunction with section 6, and includes very little discussion of what content to include in the training program. To determine what content to include, review the training programs in section 6 and consider what content is applicable to the TMC. In addition, section 6.3 includes a list of human resources KSAs (HRKSAs) for the three generic performance levels (entry level, full performance, and advanced) in five activity groups. Employees should possess the HRKSAs listed in their performance level. The entry level HRKSAs do not refer to any of the training programs listed in section 6.2 because the training programs are conducted with employees after they have assumed the position. The entry level HRKSAs include KSAs that a new employee should be capable of performing upon starting the position, and represent capabilities that will enable the employee to acquire the KSAs necessary to advance to the full performance level.
The acquisition of all of the HRKSAs listed for the full performance and advanced level TMOT require training and/or job experience. Most of these HRKSAs include a specific reference to a training program in section 6.2. After completing a training program and in some cases with experience on the job, the TMOT should possess the corresponding KSAs listed in section 6.3 at the next highest TMOT performance level. That is, the purpose of the training programs is to enable a TMOT to acquire the KSAs necessary to advance to the next performance level of the TMOT position. In addition to covering the content listed in section 6.2 and content necessary for specific TMC’s, ensure that the training program covers the list of corresponding HRKSAs. In addition, the list of HRKSAs may be used to determine if the employee acquired the necessary KSAs from a training program and if the employee is prepared to advance to a higher performance level.
The order in which each training program below is discussed corresponds with the order the training programs were presented in section 6, which also corresponds with the order a TMOT should receive each training program. Although the reader will benefit from reading the entire tutorial, each description was written to stand alone; as such, material may be repeated for training programs with similarities (e.g., advantages and disadvantages for the same training type).
Although employees may gain KSAs applicable to the TMOT position in college (e.g., major in geography) or through experience in other occupations (e.g., military or civil air traffic controller), there is no source for a prospective TMOT to gain the necessary KSAs expected on the job. As such, the entry level TMOT position entails an extensive amount of on-the-job training (OJT) to obtain the KSAs necessary to perform the job. The full performance level represents a mastery of the basic KSAs necessary to perform the requirements of the TMOT position with minimal supervision. The first six training programs apply to the entry level TMOT. The later training programs build on the KSAs acquired from previous training programs and experience on the job.
As described below, the training programs include a variety of training techniques (e.g., OJT, simulation). How to design training programs based on different training techniques will be discussed, as well as advantages and disadvantages of the different techniques. The first two training programs are orientations to the TMC and the TMOT position. Next, the content of the training programs becomes progressively more specific to the TMOT position. As the training programs become more specific, some of the content may not be applicable to specific TMC locations. For example, knowledge of VMSs is only necessary if the TMC operates VMSs.
Note that estimates of the training program lengths are educated guesses only and may vary based on how the training program is designed and implemented, and the experiences of the employee(s) in the training program.
The eight training programs discussed in this tutorial are
Return to Main Tutorials Page