Unmanned Aerial Systems

WorldSkills Occupational Standards (WSOS)

Occupation description and WSOS

The name of the skill competition is

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)

Description of the associated work role(s) or occupation(s)

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) are emerging into prominence in multifaceted environments and applications, including military, societal, agricultural, and environmental purposes, disaster recovery, infrastructure assessment, and wildlife monitoring. Their industrial applications are growing rapidly.

Within design and development frameworks and applications led by engineers, the UAS Technician builds, installs, tests, and maintains robot equipment. For this they may use a combination of mechanical, electronic, and computer engineering knowledge and skills. In detail, the UAS Technician

performs troubleshooting and maintenance tasks on unmanned aerial vehicles. They test different electronic components, circuits, and boards used in a UAS to find faulty parts by using various instruments and equipment. They replace faulty boards and components and perform essential surface mounted device (SMD) and de-soldering. They disassemble and assemble different parts of the system for testing and repair.
works with the different batteries used for the systems' power supplies, with different specifications, and with the different sensors used in various applications. They test
- different motors, such as Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors, Electronic Speed Controller cards, and their connectivity with the motors
- the flight controller, transmitter and receiver communication, and calibration
- landing gear, GPS Modules and other sensors.
- the transmitter, the control box to a receiver of the UAS, and the communication link.
- all device controllers and their programming.
works on the system's internal software by installing and updating firmware and software packages and completing custom programming of systems
is responsible for decision-making, path planning, and executing piloted and autonomous flight tasks.

The individual in this job identifies different applications and occupations in agriculture, mapping, surveillance, photography and videography, firefighting and emergency operations, various inspection tasks, surveying and construction, public safety and security. However, a UAS can be used in many more fields and emerging applications.

In summary, the UAS Technician has tremendous potential to work within a range of business models that will create many career opportunities for development and progression.

The WorldSkills Occupational Standards (WSOS)

General notes on the WSOS

The WSOS specifies the knowledge, understanding, skills, and capabilities that underpin international best practice in technical and vocational performance. These are both specific to an occupational role and also transversal. Together they should reflect a shared global understanding of what the associated work role(s) or occupation(s) represent for industry and business (www.worldskills.org/WSOS).

The skill competition is intended to reflect international best practice as described by the WSOS, to the extent that it can. The Standard is therefore a guide to the required training and preparation for the skill competition.

In the skill competition the assessment of knowledge and understanding will take place through the assessment of performance. There will only be separate tests of knowledge and understanding where there is an overwhelming reason for these.

The Standard is divided into distinct sections with headings and reference numbers added.

Each section is assigned a percentage of the total marks to indicate its relative importance within the Standards. This is often referred to as the “weighting”. The sum of all the percentage marks is 100. The weightings determine the distribution of marks within the Marking Scheme.

Through the Test Project, the Marking Scheme will assess only those skills and capabilities that are set out in the WorldSkills Occupational Standards. They will reflect the Standards as comprehensively as possible within the constraints of the skill competition.

The Marking Scheme will follow the allocation of marks within the Standards to the extent practically possible. A variation of up to five percent is allowed, if this does not distort the weightings assigned by the Standards.

WorldSkills Occupational Standards

Section		Relative importance (%)
1	Work organization and management	8
	The individual needs to know and understand: How to maintain a healthy, safe and secure working environment How to perform assigned work within timelines and with defined quality Techniques of work planning and scheduling to support efficiency and meet customer deadlines/productivity targets The stages of a quality assurance process Principles and practices of team working Reporting methods using each organisation’s standards and methods Effective waste management/recycling practices The importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) for tasks and work environments Importance of work ethics and workplace etiquette The importance of maintaining one’s own professional development.
	The individual shall be able to: Give and take feedback and support Conduct organizational safety procedures for maintaining electrical safety, handling tools and hazardous materials Prioritize, re-prioritize, and plan work to achieve goals and targets Process information and identify solutions to problems and challenges effectively Lead fire safety practices Identify, select, and apply different types of UASs, UAS rules and regulations, drone applications, and essential safety precautions Explain to team members the importance of following safety procedures Explain to team members the importance of quality standards Keep up to date with trends and developments in the industry Apply support and servicing workflows and Standard Operating Procedures.
2	Communication and interpersonal skills	8
	The individual needs to know and understand: The principles and requirements underpinning flight plans, including checks for any sign of potential flight hazards and coordinating airspace The various types of UASs and their respective applications How to collect information about clients’ requirements and issues The range and purposes of electronic documentation and publications The technical language associated with the occupation and its associated technology The range and methods of communication including body language The required standards for communicating with clients, team members and others.
	The individual shall be able to: Exchange information, instructions, and advice with colleagues, and seek clarifications and feedback as necessary Read, interpret, and extract technical data and instructions from documentation in any available format Communicate by oral and written means to ensure clarity, effectiveness and efficiency Use a standard range of communication technologies Conduct pre-mission planning meetings with clients Create, contribute to, and maintain knowledge base content and training materials Update and organize design documentation such as schematics, wiring diagrams, and bills of material.
3	Assemble/repair, and maintain an unmanned aerial system (UAS/RPAS)	12
	The individual needs to know and understand: The use of various electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, coils, diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits (IC) The fundamental concept of a UAS The functions of various drone components including: fan, propeller, electric motor, camera, and GPS The range of tools and equipment required for the repair and maintenance of a drone The range of replaceable parts based on Standard Operating Procedures Principles and methods for analysing and responding to clients’ feedback and complaints Recommended practices for starting and shutting down drones safely The range of diagnostic tests for hardware and software systems, their applications, strengths, and limitations The basic principles governing Alternating Current (AC), Direct Current (DC) and electronic circuits How to avoid damage to components due to negligence in electrostatic discharge (ESD) procedures.
	The individual shall be able to: Select relevant troubleshooting instruction sheets, tools, equipment and verified fields Perform preliminary check-up of UASs Identify electronic components that are malfunctioning and need to be repaired/replaced Review standard work practices to disassemble defective components Inspect functional components of drones thoroughly by connecting to an external power source, and using multimeters Repair defective components as per company-specified maintenance guidelines Install repaired/fresh electronic components using appropriate tools and components Complete post-maintenance tests Prepare maintenance reports using the required systems and methods.
4	Setup, program, and operate the UAS	12
	The individual needs to know and understand: How to perform diagnostic tests on hardware and software systems Different types of law and regulations regarding UAS technology and Rules Airspace Structure for UAS technology Basic principles of flight Air Traffic Control (ATC) procedures and Radio Telephony (non-FRTOL)/ATC procedures Different types of UAS systems Weather and meteorology for UAS technology Risk assessment and analysis, including safety management/emergency procedures.
	The individual shall be able to: Assess the UAS is working effectively by undertaking checks Assemble/disassemble the UAS components as per industry practice Assemble complex sensor systems through mechanical assembly, soldering circuit boards, and building complex wiring harnesses Demonstrate the functionality of the UAS to ensure customer satisfaction Perform hands-on mechanical and electrical integration of new hardware components Upgrade the UAS's internal software by installing and updating firmware and software packages.
5	Manual flight demonstration and emergency procedures	16
	The individual needs to know and understand: How to collect information about the clients’ requirements and challenges How to design customised UAS and payload solutions according to needs How to troubleshoot in case of crashes using flight data and other sources of data How to use simulation techniques to understand design limitations and take corrective measures The emergency procedures that apply to the Remote Pilot Aerial Systems (RPAS)/UAS The procedure for reporting a flyaway drone or loss of command and control.
	The individual shall be able to: Perform preliminary checks of UASs Perform preflight checks as per common Standard Operating Procedures Demonstrate drones to ensure their proper functioning Modify drones’ designs to add cameras and other devices Configure radio controls for use with new devices Perform simple and standard flying exercises Perform abnormal/emergency procedures Complete emergency procedures checklists Perform practical forced landings Pilot drones to fulfil the goals of each mission Select and use relevant troubleshooting-instruction sheets, tools, equipment and verified fields.
6	Autonomous flight planning and demonstration	20
	The individual needs to know and understand: The individual needs to know and understand: How to collect information about the customer's requirements, challenges, and issues How to conduct pre-mission planning meetings with clients How to develop flight plans, including checking for any signs of potential flight hazards and coordinating airspace The basis for selecting and using relevant troubleshooting-instruction sheet, tools, equipment and verification Basic programming knowledge Basic software development tasks and sensor integration Data capture and processing techniques The operation of an autopilot system in relation to: software and hardware that process sensor data the execution of flight plans, and the basis for making autonomous decisions.
	The individual shall be able to: Use autopilot systems that allow UASs to operate without constant human control Create computer programs that allow UASs to run sophisticated algorithms and process large amounts of data in real time Perform preliminary check-up of the UASs Plan and execute flight test plans for new software features, electronics, sensors, and payloads Use industry-standard software to write program for autonomous flight
7	UAS Advanced piloting and embedded vision	24
	The individual needs to know and understand: A foundational understanding of photography and camera systems Utilization of software tools to create basic imagery products GPS module and positioning data Additional sensors beyond the basic ones found in non-autonomous drones, such as obstacle avoidance sensors (such as ultrasonic or Light Detection and ranging LiDAR sensors) optical sensors for visual recognition and mapping, and other specialized sensors, depending on each UAS's intended application.
	The individual shall be able to: Perform preliminary check-ups of UASs Integrate advanced sensor systems such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and 3D Sensing Cameras Collect photography, videography and LiDAR data Implement filters (including histogram, Kalman, and particle filters) to localize moving objects whose locations are subject to noise Implement Proportional integration Derivative (PID) controls to correct autonomous flights smoothly Implement Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms for flight navigation Assist in the development of simulation experiences for real-world scenarios Develop 3D models using LiDAR data Use software to process and analyze geographical or photo/video data collected during drone operations Perform Infrared Thermography inspections to identify temperature anomalies in industrial equipment and infrastructure Utilize drones for external asset inspections, including flare stacks, tanks, and bridges.
	Total	100

References for industry consultation

General notes

WorldSkills is committed to ensuring that the WorldSkills Occupational Standards fully reflect the dynamism of internationally recognized best practice in industry and business. To do this WorldSkills approaches a number of organizations across the world that can offer feedback on the draft Description of the Associated Role and WorldSkills Occupational Standards on a two-yearly cycle.

In parallel to this, WSI consults three international occupational classifications and databases:

ISCO-08: (http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/stat/isco/isco08/)
ESCO: (https://ec.europa.eu/esco/portal/home )
O*NET OnLine (www.onetonline.org/)

References

This WSOS is classified within ISCO-08 Unit Group 3119: 3119: Physical and Engineering Science Technicians Not Elsewhere Classified. P.174

In greater detail, as an interdisciplinary occupation it most closely relates to O*NET 49-2094: Electrical and Electronic Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/49-2094.00 and 17-3024.01: Robotics Technicians https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-3024.01,

It also relates to ESCO 3119.2.1: Robotics Engineering Technician: https://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/7833d5cd-873d-4fdd-b2f8-9762d68494a7

Unfortunately no feedback was received from business and industry for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.