A project developed by TCD's aerospace psychological research group is one of four vocational and training initiatives to gain funding under the EU's Leonardo da Vinci award scheme. The Trinity project, which is coordinated by Dr Nick McDonald and Dr Sam Cromie, will develop new training and certification standards for the aviation industry. The research group, which is based in TCD's department of psychology, has been involved in projects relating to the human factor in aviation safety for the last 10 years. Faulty maintenance and inspection failure can compromise an aircraft's safety. It is about human error, McDonald says. In many instances, this occurs as a result of poor management and quality systems.

"This project builds on earlier projects where we developed a generic training programme in relation to the human factor in maintenance," he says. The new programme will develop higher levels of training for managers and trainers. Last year, the Leonardo da Vinci agency in Ireland received 32 proposals for pilot projects, which require innovative styles of vocational training to be tested. Of these, 10 were shortlisted and four projects - submitted by TCD, FAS, the National Council for the Blind and Ericsson - were awarded funding. Educational, training and commercial organisations interested in developing proposals should contact the Leonardo Irish National Agency at (01) 873 1411, www.leonardo-ireland.com.