Note: This document has been generated from the report "NHRD strategic path ahead after Fukushima" (in Japanese) --- Strategy reviewed upon AECJ Suggestions in 2012 --- dated August 29, 2014. The report is the product of an ad-hoc Sub-Working Group "NHRD Path Ahead" of the Nuclear Human Resource Development Network (JN-HRD Net).


Background

In April 2010, it was the time of nuclear renaissance worldwide. In this world trend, the Strategy Planning Council for Nuclear Human Resource Development compiled a report with participation of industry, government and academia. The report contained its strategic plan of tackling nuclear human resources development in order to contribute to the energy security and global environment issue by Cross-organizational Networking, Hub structuring and Globalization.

The report paved the way to the establishment of the Nuclear Human Resources Development Network of Japan (JN-HRD Network) in November 2010. Thus, all-Japan platform for effective and efficient nuclear human resources development has been set in place.

However, in March 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake led to the nuclear accident at the Tokyo Electric Power Company Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (hereafter "Fukushima Daiichi 2011"). The accident caused the environment pollution over vast areas by released radioactive materials off-site, compelling the residents to evacuate, and segmenting local communities. The aftermaths still remain, and many people live in inconvenient and restless environment. The JN-HRD Network delivered its message "Evolution of Nuclear Human Resources Development after the TEPCO Accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in March 2011" in August 2011, in which the issues and the importance of nuclear HRD after the accident were reviewed and reconfirmed.

In July 2012, the Investigation Committees of the Diet and the Government issued their respective investigation reports on the "Fukushima Daiichi 2011". The Atomic Energy Commission of Japan (AECJ) announced in November 2012 its opinion on the "Promotion of Nuclear Human Resources Development Strategy", in which the AECJ disclosed 11 suggestions.

This report assembled in response, also the Government energy policy as well as the world trend in nuclear power generation being considered, the deliberation results on the nuclear HRD issues at an ad-hoc sub-working group under the Planning Working Group of JN-HRD Net. The Sub-Working Group identified the HRD issues through its questionnaire to the JN-HRD member organizations, discussed the measures to cope with these issues and concluded 10 Suggestions below.

Suggestions:

• The JN-HRD should collect continually the basic data of student trend in nuclear field (entry, advance to higher education, job search, etc.) and disclose its results regularly for facilitating nuclear human resource securing and development;
• Standard curricula of nuclear education at universities should be tackled by the Atomic Energy Society of Japan and relevant universities, in order to develop knowledge and skills among nuclear students needed as nuclear human resources;
• Relevant organizations should cooperate to raise positive interest among non-nuclear students. Specifically, facility visits, internship and other forms of interactions should be continued and expanded;
• Nuclear industry should present ambitious future vision based on the government basic nuclear policy so that needs of new human resources in industry be understood among young people;
• JN-HRD member organizations should keep aware of the importance of continued fostering of safety culture. JN-HRD should facilitate, in cooperation with academic societies and others, an environment in which nuclear personnel would continue self-development. Nuclear industry should provide support for top management to raise safety consciousness. Nuclear industry should collaborate in providing young generations the "real working opportunities" for experience and for utilizing their acquired skills and knowledge;
• Human resources should be developed for nuclear global markets (human resources in Japan and nuclear emerging countries). The JN-HRD Net Secretariat should function as the one-stop service point for human resources development overseas;
• Human resources should be developed for regulatory administration.
• Radiation education should be expanded among medical personnel. The JN-HRD should cooperate with academic societies and other relevant organizations;
• The JN-HRD should actively support activities by local teachers, medical doctors, nurses and other local leaders to facilitate risk communication among local residents; and
• The JN-HRD Net should provide support to education programs for radiation and energy at primary, junior-high and high schools as well as to provide scientifically credible information to educational personnel, medical personnel and others for credible transfer to the people on nuclear and radiation science.