Asian Aviation Centre (AAC) introduces Aviation Services “Cabin Crew Training”

The Secretary to the Treasury has i ssued the Publ i c Enterprises Circular No. PED02/ 2017 dated 21st August 2017 to all Secretaries of Ministries, Chairmen of Government Corporations, Statutory Boards, Banks and Government Owned Companies to include in the Schemes of Recruitment (SOR) for all posts of Financial Executives In these institutions implementing the Cabinet of Ministers decision of 4th September 2014.

As per this Cabinet Decision the CMA Sri Lanka qualification would be considered similar to other the local professional accounting body the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and the foreign bodies CIMA( UK) and ACCA( UK) in recruitment of Finance and Accounting Professionals to these organisations. While some of these organisations have been doing recruitment of CMA qualified accountants no official circular had been issued by the Treasury which has now been done almost three years later. CMA is t he Nat i o n a l Professional Management Accounting body in Sri Lanka set up by an Act of Parliament No. 23 of 2009 similar to the Institute o f Chart e red Accountants of Sri Lanka where both institutes came under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

CMA Sri Lanka in addition to the local recognition has received international recognition with the Full Membership of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) the global body for the accounting profession, South Asian Federation of Accountants ( SAFA) the South Asian Regional Body for the accounting profession and the President of CMA serves on the Board of Directors of SAFA and also received the Membership of the Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants (CAPA) the Asian and Pacific Accounting Body.

CMA Sri Lanka is the National Professional Accounting Body for the Management Accounting Profession and granted the sole responsibility to frame Management Accounting Standards in Sri Lanka. With the importance given to Total Cost Management Accounting, Budgeting and Budgetary Control, Pricing of Products and other matters relating to management accounting, costing and cost control, activity based costing, will shortly issue these standards in keeping with international and regional standards.

CMA Sri Lanka was set up with the technical assistance of CMA Canada now CPA Canada one of the leading professional accounting bodies in the world and this association has been continued since 1999 and CMA grants a Sri Lankan professional qualification with international recognition.

The Founder President Prof Lakshman R Watawala together with the other Chartered Accountants who founded CMA Sri Lanka 50 years after the Institute o f Chart e red Accountants was formed when the accounting professional consisted of mainly UK accountants. They took into account other global practices and the need for a Management Accounting Body in Sri Lanka similar to bodies in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, UK, Canada and USA and to provide a quality Pro f e s s i o n a l Management Accounting Qualification at an affordable cost to students and to obtain the official government recognition which was received in 2009 to serve the needs of the government and corporation sector and the private sector.

The Committee of Public Enterprises in 2013 in the COPE Report commented very adversely on the lack of cost control in government institutions and state owned businesses and noted the need for Management Accountant for all state institutions. Arising from this a Cabinet Paper was originated by the Ministry of Human Resources to enhance the facilities granted to CMA qualified accountants wh i ch was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in 2014 but still pending implementation of certain important decisions. CMA are confident that the Treasury Secretary will give approval for these cabinet decision as well such as the inclusion of the CMA Sri Lanka qualification in the Public Service Commission schemes of recruitment similar to other professional accounting bodies, the Auditor General’s department, which Cabinet of Ministers Decisions are still pending since 2014.

Those students, state institutions, private companies and working adults could contact the Senior Director CMA Ms Sumudu on Tel. 0114641701 – 3, Mobile 0773742343, or email: directoroperations@cma-srilanka.org for any further details.

Q: Tell us briefly about Asian Aviation Centre (AAC) ?

The Asian Aviation Centre (AAC) is the Premier Engineering and Flying Academy in Sri Lanka has been in operation for three decades since 1985.

The flying Academy has trained many locals and International students upto Commercial Pilot License with Instrument Rating ( CPL/IR) and Multi Engine Rating.

The Engineering Academy conducts aircraft basic maintenance and practical’s on Aircraft Piston, Engine’s, Turbine and Avionics training programme’s to enable them to sit for the examination conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka ( CAASL)for the issuance of Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licenses.

The degree course in Aerospace Engineering leading to the award of a B.Sc. / B.Sc (HONS.) is awarded by AAC and the final year of the degree students to be transferred to the most prestigious Kingston University in the U.K.

AAC Engineering Academy aircraft maintenance engineering training approved by European Safety Agency (EASA) allows students to complete a portion of their qualification at AAC in Sri Lanka, and then transfer to Aviation Australia in Queensland state government.

In August 2017 AAC introduced Aviation Services to conduct Cabin Crew,Passenger and Ground Handling and Aviation Management training. I was appointed to head this training centre as Head of AAC Aviation Services.

Q: Why was Aviation Services Introduced by AAC ?

The Airline Industry is at constant growth and the demand for Cabin Crew and mainly due to numerous requests and inquiries been made from AAC.

Q: Can you tell us about your career background ?

My Name is Lakshan Rahaman I joined the National Carrier ‘ AIRLANKA ‘ in July1979 and thereafter Sri Lankan Airlines Ltd. I reached my state retiring policy in June 2017 after 38 years of flying experience. I joined as a Cabin Crew Member and my last appointment was Senior Executive Cabin Safety Instructor ( Training & Standards ). I have 15 years of experience as a Cabin Safety Instructor and 3 years experience as a Dangerous Goods Instructor for Cabin Crew Category 11 certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka. I was trained and Certified by AIRBUS in Toulouse France for A319/A320 and A321 aircrafts.

I have held many leadership positions at Sri Lankan Airlines Ltd.,which includes as Lead Auditor by IATA Oversight Safety Audits (IOSA) for Corporate Quality and the Emergency Response Unit ( ERU) as it’s GO TEAM Member.

In addition to this I have trained Foreign Airlines namely Pakistan International Airline, Himalayan Airline and Maldivian Airline and our budget Airline Mihin Lanka.

I have got Certification and Training by IATA on Human Factors in Aviation,Safety Management Systems for Airlines (SMS),Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) Introduction to In- flight Management, Flight Operations Management by Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO) and Internal QMS Auditor Training by SGS.

Q: What made you pursue a profession as Cabin Crew Member ?

Working as a Cabin Crew Member for an International Airline is often perceived to be a glamorous and exciting job. The Cabin Crew Member is jointly responsible for the safety and comfort of it’s passengers while enjoying the many benefits of seeing the world, experiencing different cultures and living an exciting lifestyle.

Q: What does AAC offer in Cabin Crew Training ?

Best course syllabus in the market consisting of Theory of Flight, Aviation Indoctrination, Cabin Safety in compliance to State Regulatory requirements, Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), Cabin Health and First Aid, Aviation Security and Handling Air Rage, Safety Management Systems (SMS), Crew Resource Management (CRM), Customer Services and Interaction, Knowledge on Food and Beverages, Aviation English, Etiquette, Grooming and Personal Appearance.

Our practical sessions Water Survival, Fire Fighting and Slide Drill will be conducted by state authority certified training centre’s.

Also, we are currently the only training centre that offers this training program with these specified subjects.

Upon successful completion of the Cabin Crew Training you will be issued with an Airline Certificate for Cabin Crew.

If you are willing to invest your time,we guarantee that it will be a FINANCIALLY REWARDING and life changing experience. Full assistance in the first steps of launch and shared KNOW – HOW.

Q: Why chooseAAC ?

The strong reputation of the Brand name in Sri Lanka

Q: Who are your external Facilitators ?

Professionals with experience and certified resource personnel in their field of Expertise.

Q: At AAC, what are the benefits offered in Cabin Crew Training ?

AAC Airline Cabin Crew Certificate Course is a qualification formulated specially who wish to embark their career as a Cabin Crew Member. This course have been fine tuned to support the emerging requirements to International Airlines and give you a sound foundation on all aspects of the cabin crew profession.

Q: Do you plan to get your Cabin Crew Training certified by the State ?

Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL).

Q: When do you propose to commence your Cabin Crew Training ? Q: Will AAC decide to extend this training to any parts of Sri Lanka ? Q: What is AAC’s long term goal ?

October 2017. As a start at Kandy.

AAC to become the Leading Aviation Services Centre in Sri Lanka providing competitive state regulatory training requirements.