ROUND TABLE SESSION 2

 Have we got the right training strategy for developing and sustaining knowledge and

competence?

 

Panelist: Eliana C. S. Amaral

IRD/CNEN

Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

• Knowledge can be defined as the amount of information absorbed and retained by a person;

• Competence as the interaction among knowledge, skills and attitudes needed by a person to perform a specific job.

IMPORTANT REMARK

• Knowledge often developed through formal courses, self or on job training can not be sustained and having practical use if competence were not developed and sustained.

NEW TENDENCIES

• Training plan within a strategic vision to the future;

• Professional certification given by institutions under ISO system;

• • Focusing the regulatory authorities on its core

business (licensing, inspection and enforcement);

HOW IS THE SITUATION IN BRAZIL?

• The Institute for Radiation Protection and Dosimetry, IRD, from the Brazilian Nuclear Regulatory Authority , CNEN, participates in the process to certify the qualification of professionals;

• It has also na important role in the training of professionals (regular courses without evaluation of competence and organize updating seminars).

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION

• For radiation protection supervisors at nuclear or industry facilities, the RA gives a qualification certificate after a written and practical examination, which is conducted by IRD

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION

• For health professionals, RA accepts the certificates given by the Brazilian College for Radiology and the Medical Physics Association for the medical specialist and the medical physicist, respectively;

• Besides it is requested the participation of RA in the examination on radiation protection;

• Regarding competence evaluation it is asked a declaration of working experience at recognized hospitals.

PERSPECTIVES

• Discussions are starting on the possibilities of the RA to accept certification of professional qualification given by institutions accredited under the ISO system.

PREPARING STAFF OF THE NUCLEAR

REGULATORY AUTHORITY • During the seventies, with the ongoing

activities of the Brazilian Nuclear Program there was an action plan with a recruitment strategy, good understanding of the competencies needed, adequate budget for training and employment perspective

NOWADAYS SITUATION

• IRD started the implementation of a quality system for its inspection (ISO 17020), assays and calibration (ISO17025) activities. This is an important tool for a constant evaluation and optimization of the processes involved.

PERSPECTIVES

• The IRD intends to ask accreditation for its services (assays, calibration and inspection) under the ISO system, and to train the inspectors to be also certified under the same system;

• It is required a published training plan based on the competencies defined for each activity, which is now being done.

CONCLUSION

• It is necessary to standardize training and development of competence on radiation safety;

• ISO system is a world tendency for professional certification which will make competencies for the same activity more similar, enlarging the reliability among institutions and their staff.

RECOMMENDATION

• The IAEA should recommend this direction to member states;

• The IAEA and ISO should establish procedures/criteria for certification of the qualification of professionals;

• The IAEA should enhance the sharing of experience within and between regions