Distraction; Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure; Staffing
B737 departed Runway 4 at El Paso; runway heading. My trainee radar contacted B737 and told the a/c to maintain 8;000 feet for traffic (an IFR over flight above B737 at 9;000 feet.) A few minutes go by and I tell my trainee to turn B737 direct SSO to avoid restricted airspace. A few minutes later B737 is on course and ZAB had taken the hand off. My trainee goes to ship B737 to Center and I notice he was level at 8;000 feet. I key up and ask B737 if he is climbing; and said no he was assigned 8;000 feet. I climbed B737 to 17;000 feet and shipped him to Center but at that time; although B737 was above the height of all obstructions; the MVA he was in was 9;000 feet. At the time we were working the radar east position in the TRACON.There was a Controller in the back of the room having a loud conversation with the Supervisor. Although the Supervisor was trying his best to listen in to me and my trainee; the Controllers' voice was over powering. I would recommend that if you are not needed in the TRACON; you are not allowed in the TRACON. The guy I was training had less than 20 hours and as much as I was trying to listening in; the other Controller in the room was very distracting and his presence not necessary. We have SID's and STAR's at ELP; but when we are on Runway 4 like we were today; there is no STAR going west bound off Runway 4. If there was a STAR off 4 west bound that actually worked; unlike our other SIDs and STARs; this problem would not have occurred if we had a west bound SID off [Runway] 4.
Aural distraction during Departure Controller training contributed to the failure of the trainee to assign a higher altitude to a departing B737 off ELP. The departing aircraft was briefly below the MVA; although above all obstacles.