Lessons learned after three years of operator team skills training

The author has been involved in a project with a nuclear utility to develop a training program whose goal was to improve the team skills of nuclear control room operators. In this paper, the author reflects on what has been learned from experiences with these unique men and women who operate in a very complex and fascinating environment, the nuclear power plant control room. Team skills training is still in its infancy and has many and varied possibilities for the future. While not fully supported today by the entire nuclear industry, the concept is beginning to gain wider recognition as a viable method for improving the performance of nuclear control room crews. However, for team skills training to have its greatest impact, it must receive support and reinforcement from all levels of management