A basic Aviation Security Training Course for mid-level managers and supervisory personnel began on September 10, 2007 at the Port Authority Conference Room.{{more}}

The course which aims to address the concepts and principles of managing aviation security operations is being done as part of ongoing efforts to upgrade Aviation Security in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

According to Director of Maritime Administration David Robin the training course forms part of a series of workshops being offered throughout the Caribbean in Aviation Security by the OAS and CICTE and is the second being held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for 2007.

He said that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is fortunate to have had the technical support for this kind of training after calls made by the United Nations. He added that given the implications of security for St. Vincent and the Grenadines particularly with its ability to trade in the new security environment, whatever consideration can be given to further support is absolutely necessary and vital for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Robin urged the participants to apply fully the knowledge they would gain from the programme to their work.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Godfrey Pompey while addressing the opening ceremony for the workshop said the International Civil Aviation Council (IACO) member states have had to re-direct its efforts and resources towards complying with established International Standards, by upgrading security arrangements at airports and sea-ports.

He said that this is especially so for St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the E.T. Joshua airport and the Canouan and Union Island airports. Pompey said that St. Vincent and the Grenadines has to be in compliance to established international standards with respect to security training.

He added that the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have been instrumental in making resources, both human and financial, available to St. Vincent and the Grenadines for continued training in Aviation Security.

Pompey said that he hopes the participants will garner valuable information and skills to further enhance the Security at Airports throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The facilitators for the workshop are Diana Laguna of the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and a representative from the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE).

The training course is being held in collaboration with the Department of Maritime Administration and the Aviation Security Oversight Office along with the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) and the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA).