Governments Urged To Encourage Training For Future Nuclear Professionals
Written by NucNet
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
NucNet News No. 243
14 Nov (NucNet): Member nations of the OECD's Nuclear Energy Agency
(NEA) have been urged to encourage programmes to attract nuclear
professionals of the future - irrespective of whether a country has a
domestic nuclear energy programme.
The NEA said today ministers in all member countries had been sent a statement*, adopted by its steering committee for nuclear energy, which reflects concerns about the difficulties nuclear institutions in many OECD/NEA member countries are experiencing in recruiting qualified specialists.
According to the steering committee:
• Regular assessments should be conducted by governments of requirements for, and availability of, qualified workers;
• Governments, academia, industry and research organisations "should collaborate both nationally and internationally to enhance nuclear education and availability of nuclear expertise", including financial support to universities and scholarships to students;
• High-profile international R&D programmes, which attract students and young professionals to become the nuclear experts required for the future, should be encouraged by governments "whether or not they choose to utilise nuclear power".
The NEA said: "In recent years, a number of studies have been undertaken to examine the concern that nuclear education and training are in decline.
"In some countries, specific plans to support universities have been successful in reversing the declining trends of the number of graduates in nuclear engineering and related disciplines. Although some progress has been achieved, more needs to be done."
*The full statement, in English and French, is available on the NEA's web site (www.nea.fr).
Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
Nuclear Revival Brings Need For Vigilance, IAEA Meeting Told (World Nuclear Review No. 50, 15 12 2006)
New-Build Prospects In US 'Attracting Younger Nuclear Professionals' (World Nuclear Review No. 6, 10 February 2007)
The NucNet database currently contains more than 12,000 reports published since 1991. To subscribe or ask for any further information email
