Building a Cadre of New Nuclear Professionals

from Assystem Energy & Nuclear by assystem

Building a Cadre of New Nuclear Professionals

Fifth Nuclear Energy Management School Opens in Trieste, Italy

The 5th Nuclear Energy Management School opened Monday, 5 November 2012 at the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy.

The 5th Nuclear Energy Management School (NEM) opened on Monday, 5 November 2012 in Trieste, Italy. Convened jointly by the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and the IAEA, it brings together 42 promising young professionals from developing countries, particularly newcomer countries that seek to develop nuclear power or other nuclear technology applications.
Lectures during the three-week NEM School cover areas related to nuclear power policies; the nuclear fuel cycle and innovation; nuclear safety in a global world; nuclear security; and physical protection. Additionally, a particular focus is given to the areas of designing a nuclear power programme; nuclear legislation; launching and managing nuclear projects; capacity building; and practical sessions on difficulties envisaged when managing a nuclear enterprise.
In his opening address, IAEA Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy, Mr. Alexander Bychkov, stressed how all nuclear technology applications are based on nuclear knowledge.
“Assisting Member States – especially those considering or starting national nuclear power programmes – to obtain and manage this knowledge is an essential responsibility of the IAEA,” he said. “The NEM School plays an important role in meeting this IAEA responsibility. It aims to broaden the understanding of current issues which need to be tackled by young professionals. It provides training in new developments in technology and international perspectives on the safe use of nuclear energy.”
Many countries today are concerned that they will not have enough skilled nuclear professionals in the coming decades.
“When you return to your countries after this School, you will be better prepared to contribute to building and managing nuclear power programmes responsibly, safely and sustainably,” Mr. Bychkov told the participants.
In a video address played to participants of the NEM, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said the Agency is keen to help Member States address the issue of manpower and training shortage in the nuclear industry.
“The Nuclear Energy Management School is one of the ways the IAEA is doing this, along with its partners at the ICTP,” Amano stated. (View video)
Background
The NEM School enables transfer of IAEA-specific knowledge to Member States, furthering  their capacity building efforts. The projected steady worldwide growth in the use of nuclear technology � in various areas from the generation of electricity to   uses in medicine, agriculture, and industry – points to the need for a greatly expanded global cadre of nuclear professionals. The NEM school focuses mainly on training young professionals with managerial potential from developing countries on the different aspects of the industry. During this training programme, the participants gain awareness of the most recent developments in nuclear energy and the specific knowledge and broad international perspective on issues related to the peaceful use of nuclear technology.
Candidates to participate in  the school are young professionals from Member States of the United Nations, UNESCO or the IAEA that either have  a new nuclear programme or  that plan on establishing one in the near future. Applicants must possess a degree in science, engineering, business or law, have knowledge of nuclear fundamentals and experience in government or the nuclear industry. Registration is free of charge for all attendees and on-line application for 2013 NEM School can be accessed  here.
Source – IAEA