NEA Nuclear Education, Skills and Technology (NEST) Framework

NEA member countries need scientists, engineers and technologists to ensure the safe, secure and sustainable use of nuclear energy, to meet global energy demands and environmental challenges. The NEA is addressing the concerns of member countries about the potential loss of nuclear expertise and knowledge by creating new approaches to retain, nurture and expand this knowledge base, as well as building the new capabilities needed for innovative nuclear technologies. The NEST Framework is the NEA's response to this need. It is a joint undertaking bringing together public and private organisations such as academia, research centres and industries.The goal of the NEST Framework is to encourage students, post-doctoral appointees to pursue careers in the nuclear field by exposing them to challenging projects and real-world problems. The NEST Framework aims to transfer the knowledge accumulated by the current generation of nuclear experts. Its overall objectives are to: - Assist countries to maintain and strengthen academic nuclear-related education programs and to build both technical and non-technical skills in the field of nuclear science, the safe use of nuclear technology, and its application. - Facilitate the skills development of students and young professionals in the nuclear sector through the transmission of practical knowledge and hands-on training. - Establish sustainable international exchanges and co-operation among the participating organisations. The NEST added-values and benefits are: - Fast-track processes to build up the next generation of nuclear experts and professionals through hands-on exposure to real-world problems and by working on challenging and innovative projects. - Access to a critical mass of capacities (infrastructures, construction or decommissioning projects, innovative activities...) in close co-operation with universities, available within the NEST membership to NEST Fellows (MSc, PhD, Young Professionals) via international co-operation. - Development of a network of promising young professionals, nuclear experts and leaders in the field.