FEBA
I do agree with you and in fact you make a very good point about training being mandatory. If our CAA and the JAA require Ops Officers to be trained per our Ops Manual Part D, which needs to meet ICAO, then there is no getting away from it- training is mandatory.
If you can demonstrate that you have completed a 'recognised or approved' course then you save any potential employer the need to train you, it follows that is a saving to a company and makes you more attractive. Your course completion certificate then becomes job currency. Job adverts will start to specify that 'applicants must posses the ICAO Flight OPS certificate....etc etc.
Opsbod makes the point well, few companies are prepared to release you from the Ops room for the time required to complete the course. Therefore, individuals need to recognise that, just as most pilots have to do when they do their licence preparation, you will need to study! Even if you've been in Ops for years and think you already know it all. Just the same if you wanted to go an work under FAR, you need that ticket.
And if I may, it brings us back full circle to the reasons we went for a distance learning course like the Glasgow College to make it accessible, practical and affordable for your average Ops officer.
OpsBod can you give us an update on the GCNS new notes release?