2.9 When introducing advanced jet training, the Department rejected some elements of Ascent's course materials as not fit for purpose (paragraphs 2.13 to 2.14). The Department provided military training experts to help Ascent to redevelop them. This requirement undermines the contract's aim and risks the Department straying beyond the role of approver into the role of contributor. Such work could affect the Department's ability to hold Ascent to account for risks that it had sought to transfer, as it helped design the training.
2.10 In response, the Department and Ascent have agreed a new approach for developing future training materials. It is intended to give the Department greater visibility as the materials develop. Both parties hope this approach will avoid the need for the Department to get involved in designing training in the future. The approach has been used to develop content for rear-crew stage 1 training, which is a relatively small training area. The new approach will be tested further when course materials for the larger fixed-wing and helicopter training packages are developed.