- info@whitestoneinternationalcollege.org.uk
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Whitestone International College of Innovation delivers quality-assured, standards-aligned programmes that integrate academic rigour, industry relevance, and digital fluency to develop principled leaders who deliver measurable impact.
- London, United kingdom
- +44 20 3727 6493
-
Info@whitestoneinternational
college.org.uk
United States
United Arab Emirates
India
Courses
Advanced Professional Certificate in Aviation Safety, SMS & ISAGO Compliance for Ground Handlers
The Advanced Professional Certificate in Aviation Safety, SMS & ISAGO Compliance for Ground
Handlers is designed to help ground handling agents, airline stations, and airport-based service
providers build a safety management system (SMS).
Course Overview
The Advanced Professional Certificate in Aviation Safety, SMS & ISAGO Compliance for Ground
Handlers is designed to help ground handling agents, airline stations, and airport-based service
providers build a safety management system (SMS) that is fully aligned with ICAO Annex 19
principles and the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) framework. The programme
moves participants from “task-based safety” to a structured, auditable, data-driven safety culture
covering hazard identification, risk assessment, safety reporting, occurrence investigation, training,
documentation, and audit readiness. It is ideal for organisations that want to reduce ground
damage, improve turnarounds, and pass airline/IATA audits with confidence.
Why This Course is Important?
- Airside is high-risk: Ramp incidents, GSE collisions, and FOD events are costly and often preventable with a functioning SMS.
- Customer / airline requirement: Many airlines and airports now expect GHAs to be ISAGO- aligned before awarding or renewing contracts.
- Standardisation across stations: A documented SMS with common SOPs makes multi- airport, multi-airline operations safer and more efficient.
- Regulatory and reputational protection: Demonstrable safety governance strengthens the organisation in front of authorities and clients.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this programme, participants will be able to:
- Explain the ICAO SMS framework (policy, risk management, safety assurance, safety promotion) and apply it to ground handling.
- Map GHA operations to IATA ISAGO standards and recommended practices (ORM, SMSM, TRG, QMS awareness).
- Identify airside hazards and conduct operational risk assessments for ramp, passenger, cargo, and GSE tasks.
- Establish a safety reporting system (occurrences, near-misses, ground damage, FOD) and analyse trends.
- Plan and conduct internal safety audits/inspections and prepare for ISAGO or airline station audits.
- Develop and deliver safety training and toolbox talks for frontline staff and supervisors.
- Document and maintain an audit-ready safety management manual and supporting records.
Target Audience
- Safety, quality and compliance officers in GHAs
- Ramp, baggage, passenger, and cargo supervisors
- Airline station managers and ground operations officers
- Airport training/QA staff responsible for GHA oversight
- Aviation academy learners moving into safety/compliance roles
Entry Requirements
- Prior experience in airport/ground handling or aviation operations is recommended.
- English for aviation operations (IELTS 5.5 or equivalent suggested).
- Ability to read and work with SOPs, checklists, and audit findings.
Programme Structure & Modules
- SMS components and phases
- Safety policy & accountability
- Relationship with airport, airline, and regulator safety programmes
- Purpose and structure of ISAGO
- Key disciplines relevant to GHAs (organisation, management, training, ramp, passenger, cargo)
- Preparing for ISAGO/station audits; common findings
- Typical GHA hazards: GSE, FOD, aircraft contact, manual handling, weather, night ops
- Risk assessment methods (likelihood × severity, bow-tie awareness)
- Defining controls and safety action plans
- Designing simple, non-punitive reporting channels
- Classifying occurrences (accident, incident, ground damage, near-miss)
- Basic root cause / 5-Why for ground ops
- Feedback loop to staff and management
- Safety performance indicators (SPIs) for ground operations
- Line checks, ramp inspections, FOD walks
- Internal audit planning, audit trails, follow-up of corrective actions
- Training matrices for ramp/baggage/passenger/cargo
- Induction, recurrent and change-specific training
- Toolbox talks, safety campaigns, and just culture principles
- Safety management manual (structure and content)
- Interfaces with airline SOPs and airport rules
- Document control, versioning, and record-keeping for audits
Awarding Body
Whitestone International College of Innovation
United Kingdom
Qualification Type
Advanced Professional Certificate
(Industry-aligned, regulated qualification issued by Whitestone International College of Innovation, UK)
Delivery Mode
Classroom – London (UK) / Dubai (UAE) campuses
Live Online – Instructor-led virtual sessions
Blended Learning –Pre-reading + workshops + capstone assignment
Duration
4 days (intensive) or 2 weeks (part-time/blended)
CPD Hours: 24–28 hours
- Assessment: MCQ/short-answer test + safety/risk exercise + Capstone ISAGO Readiness Pack
- Certification: Successful participants receive the Advanced Professional Certificate in Aviation Safety, SMS & ISAGO Compliance for Ground Handlers from Whitestone International College of Innovation (UK).
- Immediate uplift in safety documentation and reporting discipline
- Better readiness for airline/ISAGO/airport audits
- Lower risk of ground damage, injuries, and operational interruptions
- Clear pathway to aviation safety manager / ground operations manager roles
Aligned with ICAO Annex 19 (Safety Management), the IATA ISAGO framework and the safety intent of IATA AHM/IGOM for ground operations; interoperable with airport/operator safety management systems and suitable for inclusion in approved training organisation (ATO) curricula.
Programme Fees
Clear Fee Structure With No Hidden Costs
£
675
Per Course
-
Industry-focused programmes with global standards.
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Practical skills for real-world success.
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Academic excellence with career-ready outcomes.
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