Defining Valid Criteria for Transversal Competency Assessment in Vocational Education and Training for Aircraft Maintenance using the Delphi Method | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Defining Valid Criteria for Transversal Competency Assessment in Vocational Education and Training for Aircraft Maintenance using the Delphi Method Lydia Kes, Floryt Van Wesel, Gillian N. Saunders-Smits, Marcus M. Specht This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6429387/v2 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 2 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Show more versions Abstract The aviation industry is shifting from knowledge- and time-based training to competency-based training and assessment. New global training and licensing standards for aircraft maintenance go beyond knowledge and skills and also include transversal competencies like Communication, Teamwork and Work Management. Worldwide, Vocational Education and Training organisations transitioning to competency-based training and assessment must comply with these standards, including the assessment of behaviour and performance of transversal competencies. Given the international nature of aviation, standardization is essential to ensuring global consistency and safety. This study explores how transversal competencies can be defined through measurable and specific standards to support performance-based assessment. Using the Delphi Method, a panel of global aircraft maintenance experts was consulted to establish these standards. Additionally, the study determines the appropriate level of education required for an aircraft maintenance license, referencing the European Qualifications Framework. Findings indicate that, based on new standards, aircraft maintenance competency-based training and assessment should be conducted at Level 4 of the European Qualification Framework. Furthermore, for each transversal competency and observable behaviour, the study identifies the appropriate assessment context and performance levels with strong expert agreement. This research provides a systematic approach for transitioning from traditional knowledge- and time-based training to competency-based training and assessment, integrating transversal competencies holistically within the industry context. The findings can serve as a valuable resource for Vocational Education and Training organisations for aircraft maintenance seeking to adopt a competency-based curriculum. Competency-based training and assessment Transversal competency assessment Performance-based assessment Valid assessment criteria International standardisation VET for aircraft maintenance European Qualification Framework Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 2 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Show more versions Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6429387","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":535830388,"identity":"ef367c92-f5eb-4e65-b068-d51e364910c1","order_by":0,"name":"Lydia Kes","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAuklEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACAwYeAwaGCiDrAHPDByAlQ4yWBAaGM0BtBxgbZxxgYOAhRssBBsY20rTwNj78Oe9PYt/xxsbmDwx3iNHCz2zMu80gceaZg40NBxieEaWFTZoRqGXDjcT2BwcYDhPlsPafP+cAtdx/CLKFKC08xxh4G0C2MBKrhZknWZrnmLHxzDOJjQ1nDIjQYt/eY/jxR42cbN/xwwcbKioOyxHUwsCM5s5RMApGwSgYBdQAAEIxQVyA0NewAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Delft University of Technology","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Lydia","middleName":"","lastName":"Kes","suffix":""},{"id":535830389,"identity":"b5ad215c-e02a-4913-a53f-34cba97dc813","order_by":1,"name":"Floryt Van Wesel","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Ministry of Finance","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Floryt","middleName":"Van","lastName":"Wesel","suffix":""},{"id":535830390,"identity":"f2a83d69-54f6-44cd-a279-934341e317f3","order_by":2,"name":"Gillian N. Saunders-Smits","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Delft University of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Gillian","middleName":"N.","lastName":"Saunders-Smits","suffix":""},{"id":535830391,"identity":"c057f178-5a99-4ba8-8522-7a5e499802f0","order_by":3,"name":"Marcus M. Specht","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Delft University of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Marcus","middleName":"M.","lastName":"Specht","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-04-11 14:53:21","currentVersionCode":2,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6429387/v2","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6429387/v2","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":94488007,"identity":"16c27cb5-6915-45c2-8831-d91b707089ab","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-27 16:10:07","extension":"docx","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":177951,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"251023ValidTVCAssessmentCriteriaVETAircraftMaintenanceV2.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7675244/v1/918c51374c4a7791f192c0ea.docx"},{"id":94488009,"identity":"df92f011-7b22-4019-beeb-5ea0e79fefb2","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-27 16:08:25","extension":"json","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":7165,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"02d4948fab9a4a7d9ee54ac49c75f436.json","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7675244/v1/5c8c1f5bdf8b1195d9787a0b.json"},{"id":94488014,"identity":"a5d1a7f8-9a8a-4aed-b01b-94a8876b4f19","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-27 16:07:50","extension":"xml","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":235085,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"02d4948fab9a4a7d9ee54ac49c75f4361enriched.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7675244/v1/33dabb15c9db9cd1539026df.xml"},{"id":94488019,"identity":"4580b387-d294-497c-aa7a-bf6c76e77545","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-27 16:09:41","extension":"xml","order_by":7,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":231690,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"02d4948fab9a4a7d9ee54ac49c75f4361structuring.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7675244/v1/5c2d5c26eb35b6a8eb3a3f13.xml"},{"id":94488020,"identity":"f9e82ad3-b403-467d-ba92-8d2cf2670a03","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-27 16:09:38","extension":"html","order_by":8,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":259236,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"earlyproof.html","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7675244/v1/12efc9b34b2896f81d2df4b9.html"},{"id":104885801,"identity":"97f466ee-9973-41ee-b4fe-de0257fddb7c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-18 09:59:26","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":648032,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"251023ValidTVCAssessmentCriteriaVETAircraftMaintenanceV2.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6429387/v2_covered_79fbcf29-9626-4c89-afa7-f7551d0d4a21.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Defining Valid Criteria for Transversal Competency Assessment in Vocational Education and Training for Aircraft Maintenance using the Delphi Method","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"
[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Competency-based training and assessment, Transversal competency assessment, Performance-based assessment, Valid assessment criteria, International standardisation, VET for aircraft maintenance, European Qualification Framework","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6429387/v2","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6429387/v2","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThe aviation industry is shifting from knowledge- and time-based training to competency-based training and assessment. New global training and licensing standards for aircraft maintenance go beyond knowledge and skills and also include transversal competencies like Communication, Teamwork and Work Management. Worldwide, Vocational Education and Training organisations transitioning to competency-based training and assessment must comply with these standards, including the assessment of behaviour and performance of transversal competencies. Given the international nature of aviation, standardization is essential to ensuring global consistency and safety.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study explores how transversal competencies can be defined through measurable and specific standards to support performance-based assessment. Using the Delphi Method, a panel of global aircraft maintenance experts was consulted to establish these standards. Additionally, the study determines the appropriate level of education required for an aircraft maintenance license, referencing the European Qualifications Framework.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFindings indicate that, based on new standards, aircraft maintenance competency-based training and assessment should be conducted at Level 4 of the European Qualification Framework. Furthermore, for each transversal competency and observable behaviour, the study identifies the appropriate assessment context and performance levels with strong expert agreement. This research provides a systematic approach for transitioning from traditional knowledge- and time-based training to competency-based training and assessment, integrating transversal competencies holistically within the industry context. The findings can serve as a valuable resource for Vocational Education and Training organisations for aircraft maintenance seeking to adopt a competency-based curriculum.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Defining Valid Criteria for Transversal Competency Assessment in Vocational Education and Training for Aircraft Maintenance using the Delphi Method","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":2,"date":"2025-10-27 15:16:50","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6429387/v2","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"
[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}},{"code":1,"date":"2025-06-30 02:46:44","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6429387/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"
[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"9636ea7f-e707-443a-b829-b62e1c4f9c10","owner":[],"postedDate":"October 27th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-03-18T09:58:12+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-10-27 15:16:50","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v2","identity":"rs-6429387","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6429387","identity":"rs-6429387","version":["v2"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}
Text is read by the "Ask this paper" AI Q&A widget below.
Extraction quality varies by source — PMC NXML preserves structure
cleanly, OA-HTML may include some navigation residue, and OA-PDF can
have broken hyphenation. The publisher copy
(via DOI)
is the canonical version.