Results of the ENETRAP projects on European training

© SCK•CEN Academy

Results of the ENETRAP projects on

European training standards for

radiation protection experts and officers

Michèle Coeck

SCK•CEN Academy – [email protected]

International Symposium 50 Years BVS-ABR, April 8-10 2013, Brussels


Introduction

Over past years: decrease in number of experts in radiation protection. However, increased attention to RP is needed: more technologies (and more frequently used) rely on ionising radiation.

Increase awareness that knowledge of RP science is important (at all levels; in medical, industry, research, …).

Support of young students and professionals in their need to gain and maintain high level radiation protection competences (= knowledge, skills, attitudes).

Develop good infrastructure for education and training: to combat the decline in expertise and to assure high level of future RP knowledge and

skills.

Today’s

situation

ACTIONS:

Fill the gap

Prepare for future needs

Attract new people

Provide adequate E&T


European approach “driving forces of ENETRAP(s)”

Harmonized approach

Reducing differences; finding a common basis for E&T

Mutual recoginition of RP courses (and providers)

Clear and uniform terminology on professions in RP

Mutual recoginition of acquired competences of RP professionals

will facilitate the development of a common RP (and safety) culture and

the mobility of workers

Legal framework

Council Directive 96/29/EURATOM, laying down Basic Safety

Standards for the protection of the health of workers and the

general public against the dangers arising from ionizing radiation

Communication 98/C 133/03, concerning its implementation

In revision → RPE, RPO, MPE


Implementation 96/29/EURATOM

In answer to legal requirements: almost all EU member states

and candidate states provide an E&T program, based on

European BSS and the definition of “qualified expert”

BUT:

Wide variety in terminology (QE, RPE, RPO, personnes

compétentes, …)

Wide variety of national approaches for E&T programs and for

the recognition of “qualified experts” in EU member states

First approach to harmonization by ENETRAP 6FP (2005-2007)


ENETRAP 6FP (2005-2007) Most important realisations

Establishment of Consortium of Universities → Launch of European Master in RP

ENETRAP questionnaire, resulted in an overview on:

A. numbers of RPE's and RPO’s;

B. identification of practices;

C. national capabilities for E&T in RP;

D. regulatory requirements and

E. Recognition.

Development of first E-learning module via MOODLE

Advise on implementation of OJT/WE

Comparison former ERPC with requirements of IAEA/EC

Introduction of preliminary “ENETRAP training scheme”

www.sckcen.be/enetrap

Coordinator

SCK•CEN

Partners

CEA-INSTN

FZK-FTU

BfS

CIEMAT

NRG

ENEA

HPA-RPD

UJF Grenoble

NHC Scotland

EDUCATION

TRAINING


ENETRAP II 7FP

Results of ENETRAP 6FP were good and

according to agreements made with EC, however,

more work was to be done

Proposal for ENETRAP II was submitted to EC by

Consortium existing of almost same partners

EC contribution 800 000 EUR, equal contribution

from partners

March 2009 – March 2012, extension till

December 2012

Primarily dealing with RPE and RPO, but

interested in medical field and the approaches

used for MPE

Coordinator

SCK•CEN

Partners

CEA-INSTN

KIT

BfS

CIEMAT

NRG

ENEA

HPA-RPD

ENEN Association

ITN

BME

UPB


ENETRAP II Overall objective

To develop European high-quality "reference standards" and

good practices for E&T in radiation protection, specifically with

respect to the RPE and the RPO.

These "standards" will reflect the needs of the RPE and the RPO

in all sectors where ionising radiation is applied (nuclear industry,

medical sector, research, non-nuclear industry).

The introduction of a radiation protection “training passport” as a

mean to facilitate efficient and transparent European mutual

recognition, and mobility, is another ultimate deliverable of this

project.


ENETRAP II Overall objective

Outcome should be instrumental for the cooperation between

regulators, training providers and customers (nuclear industry,

medical sector, research and non-nuclear industry) in reaching

harmonization of the requirements for, and the education and

training of, RPEs and RPOs within Europe, and will stimulate

building competence and career development in radiation

protection to meet the demands of the future.


ENETRAP II Specific objectives

Develop the European reference standards for RPE and RPO training

and based on that develop training scheme (ERPTS);

Specific attention to including “non-technical/soft skills”, OJT/WE, …

Develop and apply a mechanism for the evaluation of training material,

courses (and providers);

Establish a recognised and sustainable "quality label" for training

events;

Create a database of training events and training providers;

Bring together national initiatives to attract early-stage radiation

protection researchers on a European level;

Develop some course material examples (including e-learning);

Organise pilot sessions of specific modules of the ERPTS and monitor

the effectiveness according to a developed system;

Development of a European passport for CPD in RP.


ENETRAP II Advisory Board

Other than in ENETRAP, ENETRAP II works with an Advisory

Board

The Advisory Board gave advice about the best balance between

supply and needs of training

Members: Art. 31, DG ENERGY, ECVET, EFOMP, EUTERP, HERCA,

IAEA, IRPA


ENETRAP II Main results

European Reference Training Scheme for RPEs, with definition of

ECVET Learning Outcomes (K, S, C)

Basic modules

Specialized modules depending on field of work

In consultation with people “in the field”

To be endorsed, used by authorities as “reference”

Text book and (limited) cyber book (April 2013?)

Preliminary management tool for LO’s developed (originally not

foreseen, needs to be further developed)




Pilot session given at KIT

Relative low attendance

Feedback from those who did attend: good training!

“Stamp”, “European valorisation”, … is missing

Requirements and methodology for the recognition of RPEs

Basic data from questionnaire

To be endorsed

To be implemented and tested (proposal ENETRAP III)

Future task for EUTERP / HERCA ?



Requirements for RPO

Main areas of RPO work are considered and examples of

appropriate training contents are given, divided into

professional categories or competence groups, covering the

following areas:

handling of radioactive materials and practices on

installations producing ionizing radiation (incl. accelerators

and cyclotrons)

medicine, dentistry

operation of x-ray equipment (technical, medical (without

patients), veterinary medicine)

RPO in nuclear power plants/research reactors

No recognition required


Methodology for evaluation and comparison of training material,

training providers and events

Established, but currently rather complex system is proposed

To be revised?



Database for training opportunities

Transferred to EUTERP, currently being implemented on

EUTERP website

European training passport

Similar for all fission 7FP projects: ECVET tools will be used

“Quality label”

Not set yet, only availability of ENEN QA system, but not the

best option in this case

Preferably via HERCA/EUTERP


In general, ENETRAP and ENETRAP II delivered the requested

results

Well established

In consolidation with stakeholders

High quality

BUT…

Options to extend, for example specialized modules

Most important:

They still lack “official” European endorsement

Wait for official new BSS with definition of RPE/RPO/MPE


ENETRAP III ?

add new and innovative

topics to the existing E&T

approaches in radiation

protection

establish a Regulatory

Consultancy Group and

endorsement of the

European regulators will be

aimed for prior to organising

the training

demonstrate the practical

feasibility of earlier

developed concepts for

mutual recognition of RPEs

propose guidance for

implementing E&T for RPE

and RPO (once the revision

process of the Euratom BSS

is completed), which will be

made available to be

published by the EC

1 Project coordination

2 Feedback mechanisms

5 Develop a methodology for the assessment of competences

3 Develop further specialized training modules for RPE and run pilot sessions

4 Develop a train-the-trainer (TTT) strategy and organise a TTT training event

8 Write guidance to support the implementation of E&T requirements for RPE and RPO as defined in the Euratom BSS

7 Test methodologies for RPE recognition and mutual recognition in practice

6 Create a platform for capacity building and transfer of know-how in radiation protection


ENETRAP III will not be funded within 7FP

Some of the work will be taken over by EUTERP

We have established a collaboration with HERCA

E&T task force

First meeting 03/04/2013

Results by end 2013

Presented at the next EUTERP Workshop: May 7-9 2014, Croatia

Documents

Results of the ENETRAP projects on European training