WMO Competency Standards: Development and Implementation Status Eumetcal Workshop 10-13 June 2014 Patrick Parrish, WMO Eduction and Training Office

Context for the change WMO Congress Cg-XVI recommended that all technical commissions make definition of competency standards a high priority Why? Promotes high standards and consistency of service Guides resource allocation for capacity development Helps training to address true job needs increases relevance, motivation, retention 2

Training is a rare opportunity High cost Time commitment Resource commitment Each event should do all it can toward building competence

Technical Competencies What are Competencies? Competencies provide high level standard descriptions of job tasks Minimum requirements for knowledge, skills and behaviors Focus on job tasks, NOT classifications or job titles Exist alongside processes and procedures Are ongoing and evolve only slowly Technical Competencies Transferable Skills Core Competencies

Competencies and Training Well-defined competencies are central to meeting organizational goals Organizational Goals Organizational Resources Job Competencies Training Needs Training Delivery Requirements flow Training outcomes flow

Development process Competency development is the responsibility of the service area (Observations, Marine, Aeronautical …), not Training Task teams are established by the WMO technical commissions High level competencies approved by appropriate WMO technical commission after wide discussion Detailed Performance criteria/components and knowledge & skill requirements (second level) elaborate on the top level competencies as guidelines Members may select a subset of second level competencies for their own circumstances

Active competency efforts Technical Commisions responsible for developing qualifications and competencies in their domains of expertise (EC-62) Technical Commissions Technical Programmes CBS All programmes under WWW Active areas are WIS, PWS, and Tropical Cyclones) CAeM Aeronautical meteorology CHy Hydrology and water resources CCL Climate CIMO Observations CAgM Agricultural meteorology JCOMM Marine and oceanography ETR Office: Competencies for training providers. Also coordinates across TPs to develop competencies. EC Panel reviews. See updates at http://training.wmo.int (under Training Activities)

AMF competencies An Aeronautical Meteorological Forecaster, A. For the area and airspace of responsibility, B. In consideration of the impact of meteorological phenomena and parameters on aviation operations, and C. In compliance with aviation user requirements, international regulations, local procedures and priorities, Should, in taking into account conditions A to C, have successfully completed the BIP-M and should be able to: Forecast aeronautical meteorological phenomena and parameters; Analyse and monitor continuously the weather situation; Warn of hazardous phenomena; Ensure the quality of meteorological information and services; and Communicate meteorological information to internal and external users.

Marine competencies A marine weather forecaster (MWF) A. For the area of responsibility – refer WMO No: 558, Manual on Marine Meteorological Services, Volume 1 – Global Aspects and Volume II, Regional Aspects, B. in consideration of the impact of meteorological phenomena, variables and parameters on marine operations, and C. in compliance with marine user requirements, international regulations, local procedures and priorities, Should, in taking into account conditions A to C, have successfully completed the BIP-M and should be able to: Analyse and monitor continuously the marine weather situation Forecast marine weather phenomena, variables and parameters Warn of hazardous phenomena Ensure the quality of meteorological information and services Communicate meteorological information to internal and external user

Competency implementation Competency assessment Competency-based training Competency and quality management

Competency assessment Competency is demonstrated through careful assessment approaches Adapted from the CAeM Competency Assessment Toolkit: It is based on standards (the defined competencies) and the basis for certification The standards include details related to actual job tasks The assessment is individual; no comparison to others. It judges whether one is competent or not yet competent. It is done, preferably, in real working situations - based on direct observation or simulations. It is an ongoing process rather than a snapshot. It is not directly related to the completion of specific training. It includes recognition of acquired competence through work experience. It contributes to the development of skills and abilities.

Competency-based training Training needs assessment Measure existing competency to determine learning needs Curriculum planning Learning outcomes and topics should relate to competencies Learning should be active and practical Assessment, documentation, and certificates Training should include assessment of gains in knowledge and skill during the training Competencies to be addressed should be clearly stated in course announcements and syllabi Competencies should be included in documentation and certificates provided for participants’ records

Competencies for providers of education and training Context The organizational context and priorities, and stakeholder requirements; The way in which internal and external training resources are used; The available resources (financial, human and technological), facilities and capabilities, and the organizational structures, policies and procedures; National and institutional legislation, rules and procedures. Competencies Analyse the organizational context and manage the training processes Identify learning needs and specify learning outcomes Determine a learning solution Design and develop learning activities and resources Deliver training and manage the learning event Assess learning and evaluate the learning process

WMO Guidelines for Trainers Support for implementation of trainer competencies, and for competency implementation in all areas

WMO Seminars for Trainers Provide increased focus on meeting the WMO Competencies for Providers of Education and Training Online resources will become available for open use by others We encourage adaptation of the course