Airports are complex ecosystems, where every role, from airside operations to security screening, relies on people who not only know what to do but can do it confidently and correctly when it matters most. That’s why, while theoretical training is still critical, it can't replace experience on the tarmac, in the terminal, and in the everyday moments where practical skills meet real-world conditions.
Formal training lays the foundation; it teaches the “what” and the “why.” But it’s the practical, on-the-job training that proves whether someone can apply that knowledge safely and efficiently in the airport environment.
And that’s where many airports stumble, not because their training is bad, but because the follow-through is patchy and that tracking mostly non-existent.
Training vs. Competence: Knowing Isn’t Always Doing
Passing a training module doesn’t necessarily mean someone is job-ready, just because an employee has attended a course doesn’t mean they can perform the task.
Competence is demonstrated, not declared.
That’s why proficiency checks, practicals, and on-the-job assessments are so critical: they verify that staff can actually carry out tasks to the required standard consistently over time.
When done well, practical assessments bridge the gap between theory and action, helping supervisors spot where staff might need a refresher before it turns into a compliance issue or a safety incident.
For the employee, there’s a big difference between being trained and knowing you’re capable and solid checks help build that confidence.
The Power of Visibility
The challenge for most airports isn’t willingness, it’s visibility.
When practical training and proficiency checks are recorded on paper, spreadsheets, or scattered across multiple systems, it’s almost impossible to get a clear picture of workforce capability, it leaves open questions such as:
- Who’s current?
- Who’s due for reassessment?
- Who’s cleared for which tasks?
Without that visibility, you end up reacting to issues instead of anticipating them. For example, you might find out someone’s certificate expired after they’ve already been rostered or that a skill gap only became obvious during an audit.
That’s why digitizing and tracking on-the-job assessments is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s the only way to stay ahead of compliance requirements, manage workforce risk, and plan training efficiently.
Turning Proficiency Checks into Progress
When airports use a structured, digital approach to practical assessments like Klayo’s Proficiency Checks,they move beyond compliance and start building a culture of continuous improvement instead.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
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Supervisors can easily record practical observations and sign-offs directly in the system.
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Managers get a real-time view of workforce capability: who’s current, who’s pending, and who needs support.
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Training plans become dynamic, shaped by actual data rather than guesswork.
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Staff see clear pathways for growth and upskilling.
This empowers organizations with:
- More confident teams.
- A stronger safety culture overall.
- An easier audit time with fewer unwelcome surprises.
When everyone can see where the team stands, it’s easier to make smart, proactive decisions about training, staffing, and operational readiness.
Competence is Continuous
In aviation, competence isn’t something you achieve once and file away, it’s ongoing.
Aircraft change, procedures evolve, and people move through roles so the only way to keep pace is through continuous assessment in order to ensure people remain capable and confident in their job. That’s what proficiency checks are really about, they turn “we think our people are ready” into “we know they are.”
And for an industry built on precision, that’s exactly the kind of confidence you want.
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