Background

With the recent revival in nuclear energy the old perception that nuclear science and engineering was not progressive is changing. A career in nuclear research and engineering is once again appearing on young people’s radar screens as the industry starts to recruit more intensively.

In European countries the nuclear re-launch has led to a review of national policy (Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium), and has encouraged new investments in nuclear energy (Finland, France, Slovakia, Romania, the Baltic States, UK) and prompted first-time interest from Poland.

Latest developments

In 2010 the European Nuclear Energy Leadership Academy (ENELA) was launched through an initiative within the European Nuclear Energy Forum (ENEF) and has shown that the industry takes seriously the need to find and train new people to be the leaders of tomorrow.

Other such initiatives also exist such as European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN) established in 2003 and which now has 56 members (mainly technical universities) whose mission is the preservation and further development of expertise in the nuclear fields by higher education and training.

Similarly, supported by the Council Conclusions of December 2008 on Skills in the Nuclear Field, the European Human Resources Observatory – Nuclear (EHRO-N) located at JRC Petten in the Netherlands was established.

The Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) has also created an education, training and knowledge management group which is developing a strategy for nuclear education, training and knowledge management at the European level.

In 2010 the European Nuclear Safety Training & Tutoring Institute (ENSTTI) was launched by four European TSOs (IRSN in France, GRS in Germany, UJV in the Czech Republic and LEI in Lithuania). The Institute will offer short applied training sessions and longer tutoring periods for university graduates and for those with some professional experience in the nuclear sector. Its focus will be on transmitting European research and assessment know-how in the fields of nuclear safety and radiation protection.).

Another example is the recently established National Skills Academy Nuclear (NSAN) in the UK and a new Centre for Nuclear Energy Technology. Similar initiatives are being planned in other countries, including in the US. The nuclear revival will lead to the emergence of a new generation of scientists, engineers and managers to lead the industry and research sectors.

Not only is the need for bringing in young recruits to the industry important, but the knowledge and skills of the current workforce need to be preserved and transferred to the new generation.

FORATOM Education and Training Task Force

The TF, potentially in collaboration with the European Nuclear Society, ENS, provides a gateway for industry input to the EU institutions and various EU initiatives in the area of education, training, and knowledge management. For example the TF can define the actions and role undertaken by industry in the area of education and training: collaborate with universities and research facilities; provide data etc.

The other missions of the TF include:

*       Informing the Member Fora and the industry generally about the latest developments in the various E&T initiatives

*       Inviting relevant experts in the field  to meetings in order to dialogue and share experiences

*       FORATOM will participate fully in the ENEF Education and Training Sub-group