1.1. PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
One of the essential requirements for safe and reliable nuclear power plant operation and maintenance is the availability of competent personnel. The systematic approach to training (SAT) is recognized world-wide as the international best practice for attaining and maintaining the qualification and competence of nuclear power plant personnel. Many countries have applied and are now implemented or enhancing the use of SAT in their training systems, as demonstrated by the results of the IAEA World Survey on Nuclear Power Plant Personnel Training.
This technical document provides information on the experiences gained in the application of SAT based training programs for nuclear power plant personnel in a large number of Member States and, in so doing, also shows the high level of endorsement that SAT has received in the Member States and the advances made in its application. The transfer of information and experience, including lessons learned, on SAT application, as well as the selected examples of SAT outputs can assist nuclear power plants and training organizations in applying SAT and in dealing with challenges that may arise in the training of nuclear power plant personnel.
The IAEA Guidebook on Nuclear Power Plant Personnel Training and Its Evaluation (Technical Reports Series No. 380, 1996)1 provides information on the reasons why the systematic approach to training (SAT) is now international best practice for the training and qualification of NPP Personnel, as well as for the evaluation of this training and also provides a detailed description of SAT methodology. This can be summarized as follows:
It is emphasized that all training, and especially SAT based training, is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The end or goal is the attaining and maintaining of the level of personnel competence required for the safe operation and maintenance of a nuclear power plant.
On the basis of experience gained worldwide in the application of SAT, SAT based training is now a broad integrated approach emphasizing not only technical knowledge and skills but also human factor related knowledge, skills and attitudes. In this way, all competency requirements for attaining and maintaining personnel competence and qualification can be met, thus promoting and strengthening quality culture and safety culture, which should be fostered throughout the initial and continuing training programmes.
SAT is an approach that provides a logical progression from the identification of the competencies required to perform a job to the development and implementation of training to achieve then competencies, and subsequent evaluation of this training.
SAT is a methodology which applies quality assurance (QA) to training and thus assures nuclear power plant personnel competence. The use of SAT offers significant advantages over more conventional, curricula driven training in terms of consistency, efficiency and management control.
Consistency is achieved, among other means, through the fact that SAT based curricula, designed and developed according to SAT methodology, are not dependent on the knowledge and experience of specific instructors. SAT based training is also more easily adaptable to any new training needs and required changes resulting from feedback from the regular SAT evaluation process or from plant changes.
With a systematic approach to training, the competence requirements of an jobs in an NPP can be established and met in an objective manner. Furthermore, with SAT based training, it can be demonstrated that all required competencies have been attained, through the process of performance
1 The Executive Summary of the Guidebook is available in English, Spanish, Russian and French.
based assessment and evaluation. Without SAT, there is the risk that important elements of training will be omitted, which would adversely affect the safety and reliability of the plant. There is also the potential that training programmes will be too extensive for the needs of the job, with the consequent cost implications and loss of trainee motivation. Thus, SAT ensures that the right amount and kind of job specific training is provided.
The increased control and accountability features of the SAT process provide management and the regulator with the means of applying standard QA procedures and processes at any stage of the training process. The requirement for the training process to conform with the plant QA programme provides management and the regulator with far greater confidence in the qualifications and competence of personnel than that provided by a purely examination-driven assessment. SAT is a QA approach to training and therefore plays a significant role in the overall nuclear power plant QA programme.
SAT based training eliminates or minimize the competency gaps which affect nuclear power plant safety and efficient operation. A SAT based training system provides continuously the inputs for other processes to enhance NPP safety and reliability, such as the upgrading of plant procedures, systems and organizational structure, as well as human resources management.
An overview of the SAT process is given in Fig. 1.
ANALYSIS of training needs.
FEEDBACK
-DESIGN
of training programs
FEEDBACK
DEVELOPMENT of training material
FEEDBACK'
IMPLEMENTATION of training
FEEDBACK"
EVALUATION of training effectiveness
IMPROVEMENTS
FIG 1. Overview of the SAT process.
SAT consists of five interrelated phases, which are:
ANALYSIS — This phase comprises the identification of training needs and of the competencies required to perform a particular job.
DESIGN — In this phase, competencies are converted into training objectives. These objectives are organized into a training plan
DEVELOPMENT — This phase comprises preparation of all training materials so that the training objectives can be achieved
IMPLEMENTATION — In this phase, training is conducted by using the training materials developed
EVALUATION — During this phase, all aspects of training programmes are evaluated on the basis of the data collected during each of the other phases This is followed by suitable feedback leading to training programme and plant improvements
Experience has shown that implementing procedures are needed for each of the SAT phases so that the process is implemented in such a way as to ensure quality and consistency These procedures must specify in detail the steps to be taken to carry out the phases and to identify the responsibility and qualification of personnel performing the work.
In an ever changing environment, new technologies and new forms of organizations will trigger needs for nuclear power plant personnel to develop a wider range of competencies. SAT enables organizations involved in training to anticipate and adapt to future requirements concerning qualification and competence, thus enhancing the safety and reliability of nuclear power plant operation and maintenance
This report is addressed primarily to:
• Line and plant management responsible for assuring the competence of nuclear power plant personnel,
• Training organizations (internal and external to the nuclear power plant) providing the training needed by nuclear power plant personnel to become and remain competent,
• All nuclear power plant personnel participating m the application of any phase of SAT based training and qualification,
• Regulatory body personnel concerned with the nuclear power plant personnel training and qualification
1.2 SCOPE OF THE REPORT
SAT has been introduced in Member States to meet both common needs and also specific needs of each State This document addresses the reasons that have led various organizations to endorse and apply SAT for nuclear power plant personnel training
One of the important topics addressed is the experience gained m the application of SAT by many nuclear power plants and training organizations. This includes lessons learned and problems encountered when establishing and maintaining SAT based training programmes, as well as possible solutions Information on this covers all phases of SAT application, the role of management and the role of training organizations
Together with a model of the evolution of training to SAT based training, this report contains information from 21 Member States on their experience in the use of SAT for nuclear power plant personnel training, as well as selected examples on overall SAT application and on outputs of each of the SAT phases analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation