3.21 Without a consistently applied approach to assess student quality, the Department has no baseline against which to assess whether the skills gap is closing. It cannot set measurable targets for reducing the skills gap at each stage of training.
3.22 For fast-jet pilots, the Typhoon operational training unit has tracked the relative performance of students trained in the existing advanced jet training course, and the new advanced jet training course as it builds to full capacity. The Department did not record these data and did not hold it centrally for tracking benefits.
3.23 Using data from the Typhoon operational training units, there has been little change in capability between fast-jet pilots who have graduated via the new core training and those who graduated via existing core training (Figure 19 overleaf). However, it is difficult to draw definite conclusions because few pilots have graduated through the new core training.
Figure 19 Average fast-jet pilot scores at front-line conversion units
Notes 1 Pilots are given a score out of 5 for the training activities they undertake. 2 Twenty individual pilot scores (5 from existing core training, 15 from new core training) covering a period between July 2013 and February 2015. 3 All figures are rounded to one decimal place. Figures of 0.0 represent less than 0.05. Source: National Audit Office analysis of Ministry of Defence data |