As early as 2000 the OECD identified the ageing of this very specialized workforce as one of the major challenges to knowledge retention in the nuclear industry
– By Abby Gessner –
The average nuclear scientist is well over 50 years old.
The European Safeguards Research and Development Association (ESARDA) as part of an international effort to promote nuclear knowledge, has been educating young professionals and students about non-proliferation and nuclear safeguards for the past five years.
ESARDA courses, the latest of which was held in Ispra, Italy from 30 March – 3 April, seek to complement nuclear engineering studies by including nuclear safeguards in the academic curriculum.
The lectures are given by some of the leading experts in the field of nuclear safeguards, which include IAEA experts with experience in information management, non-proliferation and policymaking.
The weeklong courses are open to Masters Degree students, particularly those studying Nuclear Engineering, and are also open to young professionals and those studying International Relations and Nuclear Law.
The European Nuclear Education Network gives participants academic recognition and says the project is in line with the movement to create one European curriculum for Nuclear Engineering.
According to ESARDA, the basic aim is to stimulate students’ interest in safeguards, security and non-proliferation by creating a legal overview of safeguards implementation, including inspection techniques ranging from neutron/gamma detectors, to environmental sampling and design information verification.
The latest course which was hosted by the Nuclear Safeguards Unit of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in Italy and held under the theme Nuclear Safeguards and Non Proliferation, covered ways in which to combat illicit trafficking and nuclear forensics.
Background
ESARDA aims to bring together those involved in safeguards, and encouraging progress in the field. The Association addresses issues like the coordination of research, exchange of information and joint execution of research and development programs.
The IAEA is a regular participant in ESARDA’s activities, in particular those of the ESARDA Working Group on Training and Knowledge Management however the IAEA is not one of the 26 members of the organization.