Training the staff of the regulatory body for nuclear facilities: A competency framework

The uncertainties about the future of nuclear power in many countries, the ageing of the existing work force, and the consequential lack of interest of new professionals to engage in the nuclear field represent developments of major current international concern. The situation is compounded by the great reduction in higher education opportunities in the field of nuclear engineering and the elimination of nuclear engineering departments and research reactors in many universities and the loss of nuclear research facilities generally. Competence of regulatory staff is one of the prerequisites for the safety of nuclear facilities in the IAEA Member States. Recruitment of competent regulatory staff is difficult in many countries. Also, replacement of retiring staff members requires active efforts from the management of regulatory bodies for establishing staff qualification and training programmes. International support is needed in this domain. In 2000, the General Conference resolution GC(44)IRES/13 on education and training in radiation protection, nuclear safety and waste management urged the secretariat to 'strengthen, within available financial resources, its current efforts in this area' Several elements required for the implementation of the above resolution are already in place. A strategy paper on training in nuclear, radiation and waste safety, including specialized training courses for specific target groups, has been developed at the IAEA. The international working group on training and qualification recommended in its March meeting in 2000 that a technical document be produced on good training practices of regulatory bodies with advanced training programmes. Such a technical document would be of considerable value to many bodies. The technical document would address how training programmes for regulatory staff have been developed and implemented and include examples of training currently available. Of particular interest to regulatory agencies that have only a small staff are examples of training programmes, and their development, for individual staff members. Maintaining the qualification and competence of regulatory staff would also be addressed.To respond to the above requests and recommendations, the purpose of this technical document is to provide guidance on training and qualification based on the competency framework required for the regulatory body to perform its functions. The main aim is to support the Regulatory Bodies supervising nuclear facilities such as nuclear power plants and research reactors. To support regulatory training activities in nuclear installation safety, the IAEA has also developed two standardized training courses to provide basic knowledge needed for work in nuclear safety. A basic professional training course on nuclear safety was organized for the first time in 1999 in Saclay, France, in English. In 2000, the course was provided in Romania, in English, and in Brazil, in Spanish. In 2001, the course was organized as a six-week course in Saclay, France for the European countries and in Argonne, USA, for the Asian countries. For the course, a textbook was developed and used that included test questions to support and control learning. At the next level of specialized knowledge, a training course on regulatory control of nuclear power plants, aimed at new staff members in regulatory organizations with varying experience levels, has been organized in Europe on an annual basis from 1995 to 2001 in the framework of the Department of Technical Co-operation. A textbook has also been developed and used for this training course