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During the week of August 25 to 29, 2025, I2EN hosted and contributed to an interregional training organized by the IAEA on human resource development and nuclear competency management for countries involved in nuclear energy or looking to expand their capabilities.
How can we ensure the availability of qualified human resources at the right time to launch a nuclear program? The objective of the IAEA training titled “Interregional Training Course on Human Resource Management for New and Expanding Nuclear Power Programs” is to provide answers to this question.
Over 20 participants from 19 different countries gathered at I2EN for a week-long training organized by the IAEA on best practices in human resource management, skill development, and workforce planning for new nuclear power programs. Based on the IAEA’s internationally recognized step-by-step approach, the learners addressed challenges related to planning, skill development, and career path structuring to meet the needs of future nuclear power plants through presentations, case studies, interactive exercises, and site visits.
In addition to providing financial support for the organization of this training, I2EN coordinated the participation of French experts from various entities in the nuclear sector. Thus, I2EN was able to showcase not only how education and training are structured in France but also French perspectives on the skills required for the new EPR2 program. This approach is based on the MATCH program led by GIFEN to assess industry needs and the skills action plan developed by UMN to address them.
I2EN’s partners were actively involved in this event. INSTN presented its role in training personnel for the nuclear sector, both in France and internationally. Orano contributed to the discussion on attractiveness and human resource management within its organization. Two experts from ASNR shared the French experience in building an independent and transparent regulatory authority, as well as in developing training and qualification programs for inspectors and specialists. EDF provided the perspective of an operator, explaining how it builds its workforce and supports training in countries developing new nuclear capacities.
A highlight of this training week was the visit organized by I2EN to the Saclay campus, allowing participants to explore various aspects of training in France. They discovered the latest innovations developed by EDF’s R&D, aimed at enhancing and optimizing staff training through “worksite-schools” and simulators that faithfully replicate real power plant conditions. Additionally, they were introduced to some of INSTN’s specialized training tools, including its EVOC platform for learning how to operate a research reactor in a virtual reality environment.
This initiative, part of the IAEA’s INT2024 technical cooperation project, aims to enhance the security, safety, and sustainability of nuclear power programs by preparing national actors for the future needs of their organizations. It contributes to strengthening the capacities of member states to structure effective, sustainable human resource management tailored to the three phases of nuclear program development. In addition to sharing expertise and experience, this week also promoted the sharing of experiences and international cooperation, which are essential pillars for ensuring the success of new nuclear programs.
I2EN would like to thank IAEA experts Milena Drace (NEPK-NKMS), Rahila Hammad (NSNI-RAS), and Oszvald Glockler (international expert) for their strong support in organizing this event and for the content they presented, which was illustrated in a practical way by the presentations given by French experts. Many thanks to the IAEA’s Department of Technical Cooperation (TC) for its help in organizing the event and for its support to the participants.
“As countries develop or expand nuclear energy strategies, effective human resource planning is essential. A skilled workforce is the foundation of a nuclear programme, ensuring safety and sustainability. International cooperation turns challenges into opportunities, as shown by the IAEA Interregional Training Course on Human Resource Management for New and Expanding Nuclear Power Programmes, hosted by I2EN in France — a valuable platform for sharing knowledge and best practices.”
