015nei0114training awards intro.indd

2013 NEI nuclear training awards
Recognizing
Here it is: our first industry skills that they were hard to distinguish.
awards, listing some of the best A major commonality of at least part nuclear training and education of many courses was distance learning courses in the world. Over the past elements, which allows students to access six months, we received more than 40 research and study materials online in applications for five training awards, and their own time, rather than having to make received them from North America, arrangements to attend a face-to-face lecture Europe, and the Commonwealth of in person. This feature could be vital for Independent States. students in full-time employment, or for We had applications from nuclear power students with family commitments. plants, fuel cycle facilities, from national The applications were winnowed down and international associations, from private into shortlists, and shipped off to our expert training courses, universities, utilities, panel for judging, a task that turned out not vendors and research centres. Courses to be so easy. The standard of the field was ranged in duration from a few hours in some very high, so much so that judge Jim Varley familiarization classes, to years in some concluded: ".an excellent set of entries. higher education degrees. Topics included Impossible to judge of course." fuel cycle issues, introduction to the Judge David Whitmore said, "There was industry, leadership development, research a high calibre of entries, which in itself is reactors, safety culture, radiological protection, reactor refuelling, operating All the same, they have now made their experience reporting, maintenance, reactor judgements, and some of their comments fundamentals, thermal hydraulics code are included on the profiles of the winning calculations, vocational apprenticeships, courses over the next few pages.
operations supervisors, power plant Thanks go to our judges, who made this simulations, design codes, and many more. project possible. Their enthusiasm and Types of training ranged from training professionalism made the project a pleasure. courses to apprenticeships to continuous Look out for our call for entries for the 2014 professional development, and sometimes awards; we plan to do this again, bigger and the distinctions between these were so fine better, starting later this year. ■ The judges
Jacques Regaldo, Ulrik von Estorff, global engineering and operating agent, European group managing editor, Association of Nuclear technical director, Atkins Laboratories TA-V Nuclear Global Trade Media Facility training coordinator Observatory for the & nuclear criticality safety Nuclear Energy Sector, EC JRC, Institute for Energy www.neimagazine.com NUCLEAR ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL
015nei0114training awards intro.indd 15 Training course of the year (<1 year) World Nuclear University–Summer Institute
The 2009 WNU-SI outside of
Christ Church, Oxford
Training the
Other shortlisted courses
Extensive Damage Mitigation Guidelines
(TECNATOM)
Introduction to Power Plan Operations (Exelon) Nuclear Technology Education Consortium (NTEC) DiplomaRisk Hunter (Alstom) The WNU-SI is an intensive six-week of the nuclear industry and an average of 30 only by providing state-of-the-art nuclear
nuclear leadership development different nations. Thanks to IAEA Technical knowledge, but also by developing skills programme offering lectures, tutorials Cooperation support, developing nations are such as leadership, communication, planning and team projects led by some of the world's well-represented each year. (Ten fellows will and organization. A week-long technical tour foremost experts in the field, plus technical be selected from over 110 applicants seeking is also provided. tours to nuclear facilities and networking funding for 2014.) The length of the programme is one of its During the course, fellows must present peculiarities. Being away from home in a The WNU-SI is a unique programme set case studies in front of their peers and industry completely new environment allows fellows up through collaboration between industry, experts, and give a final presentation on a to fully concentrate on the new topics and academia and intergovernmental bodies specified topic that has been researched and experience. To date, over 700 promising professionals have participated in the WNU-SI since the first session in Idaho Falls, Idaho in 2005 (since 2009 it has been held "The WNU Summer Institute is a very effective and at the University of Oxford). Analysis shows
industry relevant initiative with high level teaching that a high proportion subsequently moves quality, including some innovative ideas such as an into leadership positions, and that they are inspired to commit their careers to the nuclear field.
" Ulrik von Estorff The SI also has active alumni networks.
to address the identified need for nuclear framed within collaborative groups, mentored SI alumni meetings are held every two leadership development. The selection by senior nuclear experts. years, with the next being held at Oak Ridge criteria are very strict to ensure only those of Building competence is fostered not National Laboratory in spring 2014. ■ the right calibre—demonstrating leadership potential and able to cope with the rigours of the programme—are admitted. To help Highly commended—Exelon Introduction to Power Plant Operations
make the transition from specialist to a manager with strategic responsibility, the Although it didn't win first place, our judges felt that this course, an SI provides insights into the multitude interactive computer-based training that places the student first in a welcome of topics that are relevant to the nuclear centre for orientation, then in a 3D BWR or PWR environment, with simplified industry. These range from radiation biology equipment to click and view, narrated videos and 3D animations explaining to nuclear law. To help develop students' purpose and operation at a high level, deserved special mention. "A very management/leadership skills, working innovative and accessible product with a very high relevance to industry group activities carried out in the afternoons needs and has been designed with a very good communication and under the guidance of experienced mentors pedagogic view," said Ulrik von Estorff. David Whitmore said, "Very innovative provide an opportunity to practise planning, and visual interactive format should be very engaging and accessible for communication, organisation, delegation and students." Ronald Knief said, "A great way to teach plant systems for the general audience." cultural literacy.
The four-hour course is designed for the large number of plant employees who do not receive An alumnus who participated in 2009 said: systems training, but who still need to have a need to understand the basic operation of the plant at "The opportunity to learn from and with such a high level in order to have good thinking and engaged behaviours while working in and around the a diverse, intelligent and engaging group plant—for example, security officers. The IPPO course engages this target group with content written of fellows, mentors, faculty and industry at the right level and packaged in a professional and modern CBT interface. The course is delivered Leaders in historic Christ Church College was to a large population across an entire fleet at a fraction of the cost of an equivalent classroom course, truly an incredible experience and a highlight and allows for flexible scheduling around shift schedules. IPPO shows the plants in a simplified of my career so far." manner with clear explanations that allows concepts to be quickly understood.
Participants come from the full spectrum NUCLEAR ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL www.neimagazine.com
016nei0114training <1yr.indd 16 Certificate of Nuclear Professionalism Training course of the year (>1 year)
CoNP: efficient
and accessible
Taught online, in classrooms and soon to be in workplaces around the UK, the
"A very efficient
Certificate of Nuclear Professionalism (CoNP) is an easily-accessible master's- level nuclear qualification designed with a high level of input from the industry.
Jacques Regaldoenvironment, tutor support, student forums, and resources and library. Classroom-based modules are typically limited to 10-12 students and represent around two days of learning away from the workplace. Online modules can support much larger cohorts of up to 100 students.
Module assessment is typically by examination, a structured interview and a case study carried out in the student's own workplace. The final assessment consists of an Integrative Paper where the learner has to aunched in January 2012, the Nuclear, the Nuclear Decommissioning demonstrate how the modules are integrated 18-month Certificate of Nuclear Authority, EDF Energy, Atkins and Rolls in practice and the impact of the learning Professionalism (CoNP) comprises Royce—helped devise the course alongside on their behaviour. This is evaluated by the seven different modules covering topics from higher education and skills bodies. Open University, who awards 30 CATS points nuclear fundamentals to leadership, project These employers clearly articulated the upon successful completion. management and commercial awareness. The importance of having graduates with a To date 60 individuals have registered on full course costs up to £7000 per student. good knowledge and understanding of both the full programme and the first graduates The qualification was developed by the the cultural environment, and behavioural are expected in early 2014. Over 200 learners UK National Skills Academy for Nuclear in standards in the nuclear sector.
have undertaken specific modules from collaboration with The Open University. Training is delivered by three employer-selected university partners: the Open "Easily-accessible nuclear professionalism
University, the University of Central qualification giving existing practitioners a top-up in Lancashire (Preston), Aston Business School (Birmingham) and industrial partner 20:20 the nuclear skills needed to adopt leadership roles in Business insight, which is offering courses in the nuclear arena Bristol and Cumbria in 2014.
" David Whitmore
CoNP does not provide the technical background required for professionals in the The resulting Certificate of Nuclear the CoNP, which can also be completed as nuclear sector. Instead it builds upon the Professionalism includes seven modules: standalone courses. The first cohort of 39 knowledge and expertise that they already three focussed on nuclear related scientific graduates from the NDA (pictured) completed have, and gives them the wider skills to work skills development, and four modules the commercial awareness module at Aston as a professional within the sector.
providing the behavioural, commercial, Business School in January 2013.
The programme was designed to enable employer in-house delivery for assured providers, and this flexibility will be provided "The CoNP is a very innovative and professional in 2014. ■
course with a high involvement of the nuclear industry in its design Other shortlisted courses
" Ulrik von Estorff
AREVA General Management Programme The balanced structure of the course, communication and project management delivered by both academic and industrial skills that are so important to the nuclear Engineering Doctorate (EngD) in Nuclear Engineering (University of Manchester) lecturers, made it a winning proposal, industry today.
EPSRC Nuclear First Doctoral Training Centre according to the judges.
Training is primarily classroom-based, (Universities of Manchester and Sheffield) Employers have been the driving force although two modules are also offered in European Masters in Nuclear Applications, behind the certificate. An industry panel with an online format, improving accessibility. EMiNA (FH Aachen University of Applied representatives from employers—including Registered learners also have access to the Office for Nuclear Regulation, Cavendish the Open University's virtual learning www.neimagazine.com NUCLEAR ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL
017nei0114training > 1yr.indd 17 Workplace training course of the year Nuclear Engineering Master's Degree
The French triad
Developed by ISTP, this innovative 26-month master's programme combines an industrial placement with classroom-based and online learning.
The Nuclear Engineering Master's
Degree from the Institut Supérieur "The training programme is very robust, performed
des Techniques de la Performance by experienced teachers, with strong partners like (ISTP) in France was launched in 2010. The course, which costs EUR 26,000 ($37,000) the French National Institute for Nuclear Science and per student, is ‘well connected to the Technology (INSTN), and it also delivers a French industry,' says judge Jacques Regaldo, and teaches both nuclear fundamentals and governmental certification" Jacques Regaldo
practical skills for use in the field. The ISTP Nuclear Engineering Master's Degree is open to those aged 26 or above, activities, and quality, security, safety. of its training. Moreover the diploma is with at least two years of higher education Around 30% of the academic training is certified by the CTI (Commission des Titres and with at least three years' experience in carried out through distance learning.
d'Ingenieurs), a French governmental a technical and possibly supervisory role in Teachers come from the two academic certification body.
the nuclear industry. Places are limited to partners (École Nationale Supérieure des During the industrial placement, 20 per year, with candidates selected based Mines Saint-Etienne or Institut National students, who are usually working as higher on their levels in science and technical des Sciences et Techniques du Nucléaire, technicians in a nuclear company, have to subjects, and English, as well as their INSTN) as well as from the nuclear industry conduct a real project at their workplace. motivation and professional knowledge. via French nuclear operator EDF, French Examples of projects carried out in the past These elements are assessed through regulator ASN, reactor vendor AREVA and have included optimization of maintenance review of application forms, testing, also from CEA, the French Alternative and investigation in the engine room of personal interviews and interviews with Energies and Atomic Energy Commission. a nuclear power plant, development of managers within the candidate's company. Nuclear companies are committed quality, safety, environment in a new sodium Training is 70% industrial placement partners in the institute, participating in the treatment unit, and project management of combined with 30% academic training. A board of governors, delivering lectures and chemical conditioning of secondary circuits typical month would comprise 3.5 days of assessing and validating skills. Partners in a pressurized water reactor.
classroom training at ISTP (in French), 16.5 include not only EDF and AREVA, but also This associated industrial placement is days of company placement, and 14 hours nuclear subcontractors like OTND, Velan, monitored by a consultant engineer from of distance learning. Lloyd's, Orys, Ponticelli, Spie, GDF Suez, the school as well as an engineer from the The course covers the full range student's own company.
of nuclear topics from fuel & fuel ISTP has a ISO 9001 qualification, So far 26 students have graduated, and cycle to operations, maintenance and which certifies the quality and the rigor another 21 are in the course, but evidence decommissioning. Academic subjects are divided into five groups: general training, project management in the nuclear field, "A high-quality nuclear professionalism qualification
engineering sciences and techniques, delivered in the workplace with school placements"
environmental and nuclear-related strongly supports the effectiveness of the programme. All graduates have a permanent contract and a high-level job. Examples include project manager, maintenance field engineer, project engineer or plant operator. Their average gross salary is EUR 38,750/year. ■ Other shortlisted courses
Conduct of Engineering Workshop (Ontario
Power Generation)
Know-Why Residual Heat Removal System
(AREVA Training Center Offenbach)
Nuclear Leadership Programme (EDF Energy)
SAFETYNUC (International Nuclear Academy)
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL www.neimagazine.com
Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd Apprenticeship of the year
Forging skills for the
next generation
UK-based Sheffield Forgemasters spends £1 million a year on its award-winning apprenticeship programme.
Apprentices make up almost 7% of the
workforce at Sheffield Forgemasters, which produces castings and forgings for suppliers to the engineering, nuclear, petrochemical and process industries. The company's current average employee age – 42 – has been reduced by eight years thanks to the launch of its apprenticeship programme in 2005. Apprentices of between 16 and 19 years old are taken on each September. Nine started in 2013 (one in admin/accounts, four machinists, one production planner; one test house technician, one forge estimator/metallurgist and one NDT technician). There were over 200 applications for these places. Most apprentices complete a four-year or ‘extended' apprenticeship, which usually "Excellent company training programme for a wide
results in a certificate or foundation degree. Year one comprises a six-month block of range of skills. Innovative training with sector skills training at the Tata Steel Academy, also in council and other providers.
Sheffield, followed by a six-month stint at the Forgemasters' site in the melt shop, foundry or machine shop. During the second year apprentices receive intensive training and or foundation degree, which would be Manufacturing, the Tata Steel Academy and one-to-one mentoring at Forgemasters for completed during day-release in year four.
local colleges, and is also validated by the four days a week, spending the remaining The programme is backed by industry Institute of Cast Metal Engineers and the day at college. Year three would see through providers including the Science, Institute of Mechanical Engineers.
completion of a vocational qualification at Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Judges praised the programme's high staff work and possibly a start to a certificate Alliance (SEMTA), The Skills Academy for retention rate of 85% and the level of interest that runs through the company, right up to Special award: Eastern European Research Reactor Coalition
board level.
"There is evidence of senior management Judges nominated the Eastern European Research Reactor coming through this programme," noted judge Coalition course, which offers practical hands-on training at five David Whitmore, Atkins engineering and different research reactors, for a special award. technical director. Many nuclear emerging countries have plans for new NPPs A notable example is Gareth Barker who and therefore have a need for the education of future qualified started with the firm as an 18-year-old nuclear staff, but most of those countries have no access to apprentice engineer, and has risen up the ranks research reactors. Therefore, for either nuclear university training to become managing director of the forgings or technician training, there is a major problem with access to a division, with responsibility for 450 staff. ■ low-power research reactor where such education and training can take place. This was the reason that the EERRI course was established, with the financial and logistical support of the IAEA, in 2008. Other shortlisted courses
Since then six such courses were carried out, with great success and excellent feedback from the Eastern European Research Reactor Coalition participants. The programme continues and booking for two courses in 2014 has already started. (Technical University Vienna/Atominstitut) The Technical University Vienna/Atominstitut runs the course in cooperation with Technical University Higher Technician for Maintenance in Nuclear Vienna (Austria), TU Prague & National Research Institute Rez (Czech Rep.), TU Budapest & KFKI Atomic (Institut Régional Universitaire Polytechnique Energy Research Institute (Hungary) and Institut Josef Stefan (Slovenia). It offers access to TRIGA reactors in Vienna or Ljubljana, the Vrabec & NRI reactor in Prague and the BUTE & KFKI reactor, Budapest. The Mechanical Apprenticeship (Interserve) course starts and ends in Vienna and in between the group is transferred to at least two other countries Operation Supervisor in Nuclear (Institut depending on reactor availability. Subjects include reactor physics, I&C, reactor safety, core calculation Régional Universitaire Polytechnique Saint using MCNP Monte Carlo code, radiation protection, emergency planning and public communication.
www.neimagazine.com NUCLEAR ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL
Industry skills programme of the year Duly Authorized Person–Fuel Route
A separation of powers
The main fuel route activities in
new DAPs consisted of a first week at Sizewell a refuelling outage are reactor B, primarily classroom training. In the second disassembly, core offload, shuffling week, students went to CETIC (an EDF SA/ of RCCAs (Rod Cluster Control Assembly) AREVA shared facility in France). Experienced between fuel assemblies in the fuel storage instructors give students awareness on fuel pond, core reload (one-third new fuel, two- route activities-related risks by studying events thirds partly-used fuel) and reactor re-assembly. and practising as a team both normal and The Duly Authorized Person–Fuel Route is abnormal operations on a full-scope refuelling responsible for nuclear safety in all fuel route machine simulator. The trainees also benefited activities; they are the link between the Main from the large operating experience gathered Control Room and the fuel / reactor buildings. by the EDF SA fleet.
Staff at EDF Energy's Sizewell B PWR in the In refuelling outage 12, conducted April-May "An impressive correction of serious/costly
refuelling problems" Ronald Knief
UK wanted to improve the fuel route, and came 2013, reactor works and refuelling operations, up with a new training programme to achieve were conducted safely without challenge to this. Judge James Varley praised the course for nuclear, industrial or environmental safety its unambiguous focus on a particular task: ‘It in compliance with procedures, technical was designed to address a particular problem, specifications and fuel movement sequence, and then successfully addressed it." and to schedule. This unblemished record is a Previously fuel-route Duly Authorized significant milestone for the station following a Persons performed two roles. First, they were more challenging refuelling outage in 2011, and subject-matter experts, supervising activities demonstrates how improvements in nuclear and solving any issues, focusing on the details safety are achieved through training.
Training at the CETIC facility, France
of each task. Second, they were also DAPs, so In July 2013, an accreditation team made up had overall responsibility of the process. To do of training and operations experts from EDF Other shortlisted programmes
this, they needed to stay away from the details Energy, as well as peers from other countries Canadian Nuclear Industry Leadership in order to maintain situational awareness.
(USA and South Africa) visited Sizewell B Programme (Carson Centre for Nuclear and Recently, procedural and organizational reviewed the station operations training Uranium Training Inc). improvements were made, and the role of programmes. It submitted its findings to the Fit for Nuclear (University of Sheffield) Duly Authorised Person – Fuel Route was Training Standards Accreditation Board (TSAB). Technical Specialist Trainee Scheme (Sellafield) transferred from fuel route engineers to As a result, it identified the Duly Authorised Triple Bar Existing Sites (National Skills Academy reactor operators. A new training course was Person–Fuel Route programme as a team devised. The two-week training course for Special award: Fit for Nuclear & Triple Bar Existing Sites (UK nuclear industry)
Judges praised the UK's Triple Bar The second innovative UK scheme and Fit for Nuclear programmes, praised by the judges was the Fit For highlighting the strategic importance of Nuclear (F4N) programme, which helps both initiatives.
supply chain companies measure their Judge Jacques Regaldo said: "I current operations against the standards really think that the Triple Bar ES required to supply the UK's new and Fit for Nuclear programmes are generation of new nuclear power stations.
very interesting because they are "The NAMRC scheme is very innovative concrete, pragmatic, very well adapted to the awareness and industry behaviours. It is and of strategic importance for the target group needs of the industry and to the expected suitable for professionals of all ages, with no and it is well placed in the (UK) marketplace," workforce skills." minimum requirements. said judge Ulrik von Estorff.
The Triple Bar Existing Sites, launched "Centralised training delivered at a number Judge David Whitmore writes: "Overall I felt in 2009, is the industry-agreed minimum of locations or online eliminates the need to the UK deserved a special mention because requirement for un-escorted worker access undertake multiple assessments at different of the joined up nature of its entries, which to existing UK nuclear sites. Developed by sites," said judge David Whitmore. The Triple is probably down to the central role being the National Skills Academy for Nuclear, the Bar is available on selected dates at Bridgwater played by organisations like NSAN, NAMRC Triple Bar introduces fundamental industry College, Babcock Training, Gen11 and West and Cogent (and NESA which brings them all requirements for compliance, nuclear Suffolk College, or in online format year round. NUCLEAR ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL www.neimagazine.com
020nei0114industry skills prog.indd 20

Source: http://katedra-reaktoru.cz/wp-content/uploads/NEI-awards-pages.pdf