Aviation Ground Handler Apprenticeship

4 ground handlers on the apron

Aviation Ground Handler Apprenticeship
Overview

Role
Aviation Ground Handler
Level
2
Overview of Role
Ensure the efficient and effective arrival, turnaround and departure of aircraft.
Reference
ST0908
Duration
14 Months ( 12 months Practical Period of Training + 2 months for End Point Assessment)
Suitable for Roles
Baggage and Handling Agent, Ground Handler, Ground Handling Agent, Ramp Agent
Locations
Airports, military bases, heliports and other airfields
End Point Assessment (Awarding Organisation)
Highfield logo
Start Date
Flexible around the needs of the business
Maximum Price

£ 3500

Prices are negotiable depending on the nature of the delivery model agreed.

Visit our Apprenticeship Funding page to see your options for funding.

Aviation Ground Handler Apprenticeship
Occupation Summary

This occupation is found in the Aviation sector, across a range of different types of organisations and employers including all those working in roles supporting the safe arrival, turnaround and departure of aircraft at airports, military bases, heliports and other airfields.

This occupation requires Aviation Ground Handlers to be physically fit and active, working mainly outdoors in all weathers and commonly requires shift working. The broad purpose of the occupation is to ensure the efficient and effective arrival, turnaround and departure of aircraft. Aviation Ground Handlers work in a number of environments, such as a commercial airport, military base/aerodrome, Royal Navy aircraft carrier, heliport or other airfield. Aviation Ground Handlers work in highly organised teams below wing.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with Members of their immediate team and other airfield stakeholders critical to aircraft arrival, turnaround and departure. Typically, Aviation Ground Handlers work is coordinated by an aviation specialist/operations manager. At the heart of this role Aviation Ground Handlers day to day duties provide all necessary help and support when guiding aircraft and transport, loading and unloading luggage and cargo, checking luggage against flight lists and taking it to the aircraft / reclaim conveyor belt and other duties as assigned while maintaining health and safety and overall good working practices that comply with aviation regulations. Effective communication and teamwork ensure that all aspects of preparing cargo, moving, loading, unloading and servicing a range of aircraft forms a critical role that helps achieve the objectives of their organisation in this diverse field.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for the safe, secure and timely delivery of tasks associated with their work area (including safely operating equipment and machinery) to ensure the aircraft is ready for arrival, turnaround and departure, as instructed and guided by the aviation specialist or aviation operations manager.

It is the responsibility of the employer (military & civilian) to ensure that all Aviation Ground Handler apprentices achieve a Category 8 Certificate in Dangerous Goods awareness before completing their apprenticeship, then 24-month refresher training must be provided thereafter, as per IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. Aviation Ground Handlers must be in possession of a valid driving licence.

Aviation Ground Handler Apprenticeship
Occupational Duties

Duty Description KSBs
Duty 1 Ensure cargo and baggage is carefully and safely prepared for the arrival, turnaround and departure of aircraft when loading and building of load. Ensure no damage has occurred during transit from make-up to aircraft side and ensure accuracy and destination checks are made including checking luggage against the flight list. Report any damage to supervisor/operator. (ULD, cargo pallet, animals, high value items, outsized Items). K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K16 K17 K18
S1 S2 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S12 S17 S18 S19
B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8
Duty 2 Apply dangerous goods awareness protocols inclusive of general philosophy, limitations, labelling and marking, storage and loading procedures, pilot notification, provisions for passengers and crew and emergency response planning (ERP). Use load instruction reports (LIR) to load /unload cargo or baggage on to the aircraft /reclaim conveyor belt. K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K17 K18
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S10 S11 S17 S18 S19 S20
B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8
Duty 3 Operate safely ULD stops and locks, lashing and netting, applying restraint options depending on load type and aircraft to ensure the safe arrival, turnaround and departure of aircraft. K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K12 K14 K16 K17 K18
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S10 S12 S13 S14 S18 S19 S20
B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8
Duty 4 Safely secure load spreading materials and in the event of unacceptable loads, escalating to supervisor when needed. K1 K2 K5 K6 K8 K11 K16 K17
S1 S3 S6 S7 S8 S10 S11 S13 S18 S19 S20
B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8
Duty 5 Safe use of aircraft handling equipment (drivable or towable steps, luggage tractors, ULD dollies and baggage trolley) to ensure the safe arrival, turnaround and departure of aircraft. K1 K2 K3 K5 K6 K7 K8 K10 K12 K13 K16 K17 K18
S1 S2 S4 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18
B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8
Duty 6 Operate Chocks, power and cones to ensure aircraft is safely held in position. K1 K2 K3 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18
S1 S3 S4 S6 S7 S8 S9 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S20
B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8
Duty 7 Report to any suspicious activity or safety concerns relating to persons/item and personal safety. K1 K2 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K13
S1 S2 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S10 S11 S12 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19
B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8
Duty 8 Challenge and report to supervisor / local security personnel any unsolicited persons around the aircraft. K1 K2 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9
S1 S2 S4 S6 S7 S8 S17
B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8
Duty 9 Safe marshalling of vehicles to and or around the aircraft and on stand/airfield. (Wingman or Banksman) to ensure the safe arrival, turnaround and departure of aircraft. K1 K2 K3 K5 K6 K7 K8 K10 K13 K16 K18
S1 S4 S6 S7 S8 S9 S13 S14 S15
B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8
Duty 10 Complete pre-use inspections of ground service equipment, vehicles and handling equipment including the area of operation around the aircraft and report faults to your supervisor. K1 K2 K3 K6 K7 K13 K15 K16 K17 K18
S1 S2 S3 S4 S6 S7 S8 S12 S14 S15 S16 S20
B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8
Duty 11 Report incidents or accidents around the aircraft or on wider airfield, ensuring reporting protocol is adhered to. K1 K2 K3 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K13 K15 K17 K18
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S10 S11 S12 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20
B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8
Duty 12 Safely load aircraft in accordance with Loading Instruction report. K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K11 K13 K14 K16 K17 K18
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S18 S19 S20
B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8
Duty 13 Liaise and coordinate with other teams operating in the aircraft or vicinity of the airfield in order to help maintain an efficient and safe service. K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K13 K14 K17 K18
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20
B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8

Aviation Ground Handler Apprenticeship
Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours

Knowledge

K1 Relevant industry specific regulations, legislation, and procedures appropriate to the aviation sector.
K2 The importance of following process, legislation, monitoring compliance and the completion of legal documentation.
K3 The aviation systems and ground service equipment used and the operational procedures.
K4 Identify prohibited articles relevant to aviation operations and how to deal with them effectively.
K5 Methods to identify and respond to individuals’ needs and abilities in different situations and communicate with others and colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures.
K6 Communication methods to transfer relevant information to people.
K7 The importance of communications and customer service to the organisation.
K8 Emergency procedures (including fire, breaches of security, acts of aggression), common incidents and disruption that may occur in an aviation environment and the appropriate action to take in the event of an incident.
K9 The procedure for dealing with unauthorised access in a restricted area.
K10 The procedures for marshalling, and controlling the movement of vehicles in close proximity of aircraft, including requirements and importance of distance, speed and safe positioning of vehicles near aircraft.
K11 The purpose of a Load Instruction Report (LIR), the key information contained therein and why it is important and relevant to every aircraft movement.
K12 The safe, correct and timely on-load/off-load operation, and use of Unit Load Devices (ULD) and restraints to ensure the safety and security of loads.
K13 The requirements for, and operation of, specialist equipment and vehicles used on and around the aircraft, to prevent damage to the aircraft, baggage and cargo.
K14 Aircraft serving/turnaround management, aircraft services, pre/post use checks of holds and all hold locks.
K15 The procedures for checking specialised aircraft movement equipment prior to use, how to operate specialist equipment safely and the procedure for storage after use.
K16 The procedures and processes when preparing to move an airframe, including dealing with risks and hazards of operating aircraft and vehicles airside.
K17 The importance of executing correct Manual Handling Techniques.
K18 How to identify faults or errors and the remedial action to take.

Skills

S1 Comply with all aviation regulations, work within legislative guidelines and procedures.
S2 Complete and maintain documentation to meet current legislative aviation guidelines.
S3 Use aviation systems.
S4 Be polite, helpful and customer focused whilst maintaining customer service standards.
S5 Adhere to procedures for identification and safe handling of dangerous goods.
S6 Work as part of a team, identifying and responding to the needs of individuals, including colleagues, other organisations or customers.
S7 Communicate by transmitting and receiving information and recording it as required.
S8 Take appropriate action in the event of an incident, disruption or emergency, liaising with relevant people and recording actions and outcomes as required.
S9 Use the correct marshalling hand signals and techniques required to safely position and manoeuvre vehicles into and around the aircraft.
S10 Complete loading and unloading of aircraft safely within the allocated time in accordance with the LIR and organisational procedures, where applicable including restraint/unrestraint of a ULD and baggage nets following supervisor’s instruction.
S11 Correctly interpret information on a LIR and ensure procedures are conducted according to the report.
S12 Use the correct specialist equipment that is required for specific purposes on, at and around the aircraft to achieve the desired outcome, report on both serviceability and defects in accordance with organisational procedures.
S13 Undertake the services required to facilitate an aircraft arrival, departure or turnaround and prepare/configure aircraft holds for departure.
S14 Operate equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures and ensure it is stored in a safe secure manner after use.
S15 Follow all correct procedures in order to move back the aircraft accurately, safely and promptly.
S16 Follow all correct procedures to prepare for and when moving aircraft accurately, safely and promptly.
S17 Work collaboratively to reducing the risks and hazards from operating aircraft and vehicles airside.
S18 Clearly identify and safely deal with carrying baggage of varying weight and size over a continuous period.
S19 Correctly interpret information on a baggage tag and ensure aviation procedures for baggage are followed.
S20 Take remedial action upon identification of faults or errors in a timely manner.

Behaviours

B1 Has a proactive approach to work.
B2 Be a positive role model to others in attitude to work and how it is undertaken.
B3 Treat team, customers and other stakeholders with courtesy and respect.
B4 Remain focused when a problem arises so that effective and timely decisions can be made.
B5 Work responsibly to keep people safe and operations flowing smoothly, complying with working practices.
B6 Treat equipment and technology responsibly and effectively.
B7 Seeks to treat work areas and equipment with care at all times.
B8 Consistently driven to achieve the vision and objectives of the organisation.

Transferable Skills

Apprentices who have not yet achieved level 1 English and maths are required to achieve level 1 English and maths and take the test for level 2 prior to taking the End Point Assessment.

Aviation Ground Handler Apprenticeship Vacancies

Live Aviation Ground Handler Apprenticeship Vacancies

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