Industry insurance provider Global Aerospace is previewing the latest improvements to its SM4 Aviation Safety Program at NBAA’s annual convention. Since 2010, the company (Booth C9230) has committed more than $5 million in support of the program to help its clients achieve higher levels of safety in their operations. The 2020 edition's focus will be on business aviation's talent shortage and the challenges in attracting, mentoring, and retaining professionals who can safely manage, maintain, service, and fly business aircraft.

To be launched in January, the program will include an online safety learning management system (LMS), which will be provided free to the company’s U.S.-based general aviation policyholders. It will include customized training courses to help support future talent by improving their understanding of safety management and professional performance, and by promoting their continuous improvement.

“The addition of customized online training courses developed in cooperation with our SM4 partners will provide a training roadmap to advance personal and professional development for new and existing employees,” said Marilena Sharpell, the company’s senior vice president for underwriting and operations executive. “Studies have shown the more you invest in your employees, the more engaged they are, and the more likely it is that they will stay.” She added the LMS offering was created specifically to address its clients' needs to attract and retain talent.

For Global’s Elite-level clients, the 2020 SM4 program will provide an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to their flight operations to establish their greatest areas of need. Once needs are determined, customers will be presented customized service offerings from one or more of the SM4 partners. “As Elite-level flight departments advance, we recognize that off-the-shelf benefits are a thing of the past,” explained Sharpell. “These clients need more targeted, customized benefits as they strive to achieve higher levels of operational safety.”