Session 7: Making the Nuclear Field Attractive to the Next Generation

Young Generation Perspective on the Nuclear Power Industry

Igor VukovićUniversity of Zagreb – FER, Croatia

European Nuclear Society YGN

IAEA International Conference on Human Resource Developmentfor Introducing and Expanding Nuclear Power Programmes, 14-18 March 2010

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 18th March 2010

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Overview• ENS Young Generation Network (YGN)• Challenges and opportunities

• Education, training and research centres• Nuclear industry

• Message from the young generation

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ENS Young Generation Network• Part of the learning society - European Nuclear Society• Vibrant network of young professionals up to age of 35• Founded in 1995 to spread the nuclear YG movement• Nuclear YG Network of 23 European countries• Collaborates with youngsters in:

• Northern American YGN• International Youth Nuclear Congress• International Organisations

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ENS YGN objectives• Attracting young people in science and research

• to be prepared to take new challenges in the nuclear science, research and education

• Knowledge management and transfer• to transfer the knowledge from experienced generation in the

industry to the young generation• Thinking nationally and internationally

• to bring together young people working in the nuclear field at anational and international level

• Opening up workshops, seminars, forums, debates• to set up topical workshops, seminars, forums and other

technical meetings for young people

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European Nuclear YG Forum• Forum to exchange knowledge and utilise a network of young

nuclear professionals• Topical meeting• Zagreb 2005, Amsterdam 2007, Córdoba 2009, Prague 2011

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Recent and Current YGN Activities• FISA conference

• European Nuclear Energy Forum

• AtomiCareer Event in Europe • Programme Committees

• NESTet, ENC, IYNC

• UN Climate Change Conference

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UN Climate Change Conference COP-14 & 15• COP-14 Side Event

• “Debating nuclear and climate change”• COP-15 Side Event

• “Meeting young European engineers in an open discussion about nuclear and sustainability”

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International Youth Nuclear Congress 2010• Technical programme – 10 technical tracks

• Track 1: Plant Construction, Operation and Maintenance• Track 2: Nuclear Fuel Cycle• Track 3: Nuclear Policies, Economics and Human resources• Track 4: Nuclear Materials, Chemistry and Structural Integrity• Track 5: Radiation Science and Medical Applications• Track 6: Fusion Science and Technology• Track 7: Reactor Safety• Track 8: Thermal-Hydraulics• Track 9: Reactor Core Design, Simulation and Modelling• Track 10: Young Generation Activities

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General Challenges• Students

• How to attract new students in nuclear field? • Existing professionals in institutions for education,

training and research• How to maintain and develop competences further?• How to prevent drain to nuclear industry?

• Nuclear industry• How to preserve and transfer knowledge to younger

generation?• How to prevent drain to other industrial fields?

• This requires a modern management system

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Young Professionals in Educational, Training andResearch Centres• Opportunities

• Obtaining a PhD• Easier to specialise in a certain direction

• Challenges• What after the PhD?• Stay in research?• To industry? Does the PhD have an added value? Or have you

just “lost” time?

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Educational, Training and Research Centres Themselves• Opportunities

• PhD’s are necessary to do research • These centres need fresh blood• Interest in nuclear is rising again• Perfect opportunity for stronger collaboration with the industry• Offer specialised training and education programmes

• Challenges• Limited funding to support reasearch• What to offer them afterwards?• Still hard to find good PhD candidates• Brain drain to industry• Academic value of a programme must not be compromised or

imposed by industry

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Young Professionals in the Industry• Opportunities

• Better paid job• Larger funding opportunities for further education• Better understanding of your industry (“real engineering”)

generally makes you feel better integrated in your job• Challenges

• Age gap between employees• Generational cultural differences• Language barriers• Pressure of deadlines

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Nuclear Industry Itself• Opportunities

• Industry also needs “fresh blood”• Large funding on disposition to hire• Mentoring (experienced personnel as mentors)

• Challenges• Generation gap

• Experienced generation is too high up in management• Transfer of know-how?

• Brain drain to other industry fields• Stronger cooperation with organisations for education and

training

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Message from the Youth• Education and training

• Vital to the future of nuclear - the next generation of young engineers and researchers

• To include courses on social and political aspects of nuclear science and technology

• Preservation and transfer of knowledge• From experienced professionals to inspired young newcomers• From centres of competence to growing areas

• Attracting new young professionals• To attract talented and ambitious individuals to begin

reconsider a career in nuclear• Creative young people should be attracted and inspired by

vibrant working environment

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Investment in young generation today…

Maybe we can not build the future for us now, but we can build us for the future now

… is an investment in the futureof nuclear science, research and industry!

For us, the future is clear!

www.euronuclear.org