Narrative:

I trained the particular individual who was working the local control position at the time of this incident. It had been my recommendation; as well as all 6 review board members (unanimous); to terminate this individuals training on the local control position. Instead; this individual was given additional hours and a new select training team assigned; again against the review board's recommendation/s; and eventually certified. Since that time I; as well as many others; have witnessed the expected deficiencies of this controller. I was part of a very dangerous situation while working the radar position; while this individual was working the tower. An opposite direction departure was appreqed and approved by me with specific heading instructions to avoid inbound traffic. This person made assumptions on my traffic and cleared the departure for take off on a completely different heading; 230 vs. 300 degrees. I had anticipated his lack of proficiency and turned my arrival just to build in a safety cushion before the departure was airborne. The 230 degree heading he assigned was a direct collision course with my inbound traffic and was initiated by him; in my airspace; based on his assumptions without any approval whatsoever. I have grave concern for how our training program is being conducted; and fear for what I believe is the inevitable loss of human life due to incompetent developmentals being allowed to slip through the cracks. We have been fortunate that our traffic has decreased; and I believe it is the reason a catastrophe hasn't already occurred. This particular incident occurred with very; very light traffic and complexity. It has been an insult to me and my profession how the training program has been conducted here at this facility. I have tried to not be part of it; but have been forced to continue as an ojti. This is a serious business that we are part of and red flags should not be ignored. Not everyone is suited for this occupation and one should not be coddled and babied. I believe my; and everyone else's family deserves for only the best and fully capable controllers to be in charge of their flight; not someone that has been given a ridiculous amount of training time; and still is unsuccessful. Recommendation; terminate developmentals when it is evident there is lack of talent being demonstrated. I have been here for many years; and it has always been standard procedure to give developmentals 100% of training hours and almost always; extensions. We need to have established benchmarks at certain stages of training and terminate those who do not achieve such standards.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: TRACON Controller described a potential serious conflict after the Tower Controller failed to issue TRACON assigned headings; the reporter voicing concern regarding the facilities failure to insure competent controller training.

Narrative: I trained the particular individual who was working the Local Control position at the time of this incident. It had been my recommendation; as well as all 6 review board members (unanimous); to terminate this individuals training on the Local Control position. Instead; this individual was given additional hours and a new select training team assigned; again against the review board's recommendation/s; and eventually certified. Since that time I; as well as many others; have witnessed the expected deficiencies of this Controller. I was part of a very dangerous situation while working the RADAR position; while this individual was working the Tower. An opposite direction departure was APPREQED and approved by me with specific heading instructions to avoid inbound traffic. This person made assumptions on my traffic and cleared the departure for take off on a completely different heading; 230 vs. 300 degrees. I had anticipated his lack of proficiency and turned my arrival just to build in a safety cushion before the departure was airborne. The 230 degree heading he assigned was a direct collision course with my inbound traffic and was initiated by him; in my airspace; based on his assumptions without any approval whatsoever. I have grave concern for how our training program is being conducted; and fear for what I believe is the inevitable loss of human life due to incompetent developmentals being allowed to slip through the cracks. We have been fortunate that our traffic has decreased; and I believe it is the reason a catastrophe hasn't already occurred. This particular incident occurred with very; very light traffic and complexity. It has been an insult to me and my profession how the training program has been conducted here at this facility. I have tried to not be part of it; but have been forced to continue as an OJTI. This is a serious business that we are part of and red flags should not be ignored. Not everyone is suited for this occupation and one should not be coddled and babied. I believe my; and everyone else's family deserves for only the best and fully capable controllers to be in charge of their flight; not someone that has been given a ridiculous amount of training time; and still is unsuccessful. Recommendation; terminate developmentals when it is evident there is lack of talent being demonstrated. I have been here for many years; and it has always been standard procedure to give developmentals 100% of training hours and almost always; extensions. We need to have established benchmarks at certain stages of training and terminate those who do not achieve such standards.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.