Competency–based training and assessment (CBTA) refers to a detailed framework for employee training that employers must implement to offer hazmat for air transportation with IATA member airlines.
In IATA's words, the primary objective of competency-based training is to:
"...produce a competent workforce by providing focused training...by identifying key competencies and the level of proficiency to be achieved, determining the most effective way of achieving them, and establishing valid and reliable assessment tools to evaluate the achievement.”
IATA expects that training will prepare employees to capably perform tasks that affect hazardous materials/dangerous goods transportation safety—e.g., filling/closing packaging, applying labels or markings, or completing shipping documentation. Each employee’s training must address specific job responsibilities and an appropriate level of regulatory detail, and employers must assess/measure the results.
For a much more detailed overview of what competency-based training is, refer to the detailed CBTA guidance document IATA created (formerly located in Appendix H to the Dangerous Goods Regulations).
For more information about the IATA dangerous goods requirements related to competency-based training and assessment (CBTA), see the IATA 
