CETRAD: Co-ordination action on education and training in radiation protection and radioactive waste management

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 03.0377-1

Key words (English)

Education; training courses; radioactive waste management; radiation protection; evaluation of national needs; geological disposal; high-level radioactive wastes; long-lived radioactive wastes; spent fuel

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: 508835

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 6. Frame Research Programme - 5.2 Nuclear fission safety

Short description (English)

See abstract

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
Nationale Genossenschaft für die Lagerung radioaktiver Abfälle NAGRA

Abstract (English)

Within the European Community and world-wide there is extensive experience in the principles and practice of radiation protection and radioactive waste management. Nuclear skills and capabilities have grown and evolved since the inception of nuclear technology in the 1940s. However, with the current stagnation of the nuclear industry it is increasingly acknowledged that the skills and expertise are not being passed on to new generations of experts. This poses a significant risk to the community who will need to manage nuclear liabilities for long times into the future in order to protect future society from radiological hazards.
Notwithstanding the fact that the state of the art in nuclear waste management is undoubtedly high in many organisations, it is clear that there is continuous need for the provision of education and training in this area. The various training and education programmes throughout Europe are at different stages of development. There is undoubtedly a need for harmonisation of the numerous programmes and there would be great benefit to countries at early stages of development due to the learning experiences from the more developed organisations.
The objective of this project is to develop proposals for structuring and delivering both education and training in the management of the geological disposal of high-level and long-lived radioactive wastes and spent fuel in geological formations, and radiation protection. This project is seen as a forerunner of a more comprehensive pan-European Network in this area, which it is planned, will emerge from this work.
The project activities will be carried out in two phases. Phase I will involve national evaluations of both the needs for education and training and the existing infrastructure and resources in the field of radioactive waste management and radiation protection. Phase 2 will involve development of specific proposals based on the needs identified in Phase I.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 03.0377-1