Steve Wilkinson

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Steve Wilkinson, CEO, HALCYON Training Solutions

For more than 6 years, Steve Wilkinson has acted as COO of ETSA CIC. He is the founder, and has for the past 9 years been CEO, of HALCYON Training Solutions, a privately-owned independent Manpower and Training Consultancy. Prior to that, Steve had a 38 year career at BAE Systems, the last 25 years of which was spent in the training and simulation businesses.

Steve gained a Masters degree at Cambridge University (Part 1 in Engineering, Part 2 in Business Studies).

During his subsequent career at BAE Systems, he built a broad foundation of military aviation experience before concentrating on his training vocation. His main achievements in the fields of Aviation and Defence Training include:

In 1987; instrumental in the creation of new BAe subsidiary, BAe Simulation Limited (BAeSL)
Led the technical team for due diligence in BAe’s acquisition of Reflectone Inc., the US simulator manufacturer
Developed the trans-Atlantic technical solutions and business strategy for BAeSL and Reflectone jointly to address fast jet simulator markets
In 1994-5; led training proposals for UK Attack Helicopter bid
Between 1990 and 2001; led the training business development activities into Kazakhstan (ab-initio pilot training), Singapore (Military Flying Training System), Slovakia (‘PFI’ Flying Training Academy) and Saudi Arabia (Minehunter Naval training)
From 1995 to 2001; managed teams of trainers designing and delivering technician training for Eurofighter and Nimrod (c. 200 persons)
From 2002 to 2004; developed the concept for, implemented and directed, a Company-wide Customer Training Function responsible for Training Governance (people, processes and technology)
In 2005; developed Corporate strategy for International Customer Training business
In 2006 and 2007; headed the Customer Training programmes for the export of Typhoon to Saudi Arabia
From 2008 to 2009; directed the identification and management of manpower requirements for the Saudi Typhoon Project (Customer, supplier and Company personnel).

In his spare time he enjoys watercolour painting, photography, fishing and American sports (spectating only!)

ABSTRACT
Establishing a Benchmark for Training Systems Design: An Essential Pre-Requisite for Safety-Critical Industries

In many industries there are examples of ill-conceived an inappropriate training systems being implemented to support training of their personnel. Within Safety-Critical Industries, such practice can have catastrophic consequences or serious implications on a human, operational, environmental and even political level. However, ad hoc and unsubstantiated processes are still being employed to design training systems in many of these industries and resultant training solutions are thus far from optimal.

This paper offers an overview and description of key elements of an idealised holistic systematic approach to the design and implementation of an appropriate and efficacious training system.

It is not intended that this approach must be used for every training requirement; but is offered as a reference ‘best practice’ against which all industries, safety-critical or not, can compare their approach and strive towards. Even if the total process is not appropriate to certain training requirements, it can be seen that elements of the approach can add value in these cases.