PARLIAMENT QUESTION: TRAINING PROGRAMMES IN NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY

PARLIAMENT QUESTION: TRAINING PROGRAMMES IN NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY

1. Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP), Bahadurgarh has five (05) specialised schools for international collaboration in nuclear energy research.

1. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) imparts specialized training in nuclear technology through its Nuclear Training Centres (NTCs) located at its sites. There are total Seven Nuclear Training Centres (NTCs) located at Rawatbhata Rajasthan (RR) Site, Rawatbhata; Tarapur Maharashra Site(TMS), Tarapur; Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS), Narora; Kaiga Generation Station(KGS), Kaiga; Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS), Kakrapar; Madras Atomic Power

Station(MAPS), Kalpakkam and Kudankulam Nuclear Power plant (KKNPP), Kudankulam. The details are given below:

Human resource development forms a cornerstone of strategy for indigenous technological development and innovation. Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has established robust programme to create a highly skilled workforce for nuclear science, technology, and radiation safety. The Orientation Course for Engineering Graduates and Science Postgraduates (OCES), conducted annually through the BARC Training School, provides one year of intensive training to young engineers and science postgraduates, who are subsequently absorbed into various units of DAE. DAE Graduate Fellowship Scheme (DGFS), implemented through MoUs with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and IIT Madras, enables selected candidates to pursue M.Tech programmes at premier academic institutions, followed by structured training in nuclear science and technology and are subsequently absorbed in DAE.

Young aspirants having bachelor degree in science / diploma in engineering and trade certificates in ITIs are recruited as Cat-I & Cat-II trainees, respectively. Two-year training in the field of nuclear science and technology is imparted to Cat-I & Cat-II trainees. Subsequent to successful completion of training, they are absorbed in the Department.

BARC also conducts the Radiography Technique and Radiological Safety Level-2 training and certification course in association with the Institute for Design of Electrical Measuring Instruments (IDEMI), a Government of India Society under

the Ministry of MSME. Successful completion of the course is mandatory for obtaining Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) certification from Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). The training and certification from the course enhance employment opportunities in Government organisations and private industries. During the last five years fifteen (15) courses were conducted in BARC.

Technical manpower is also trained through regular courses on radiation safety and non-destructive examination. Capacity building programmes are regularly undertaken in BARC with identified disciplines through apprenticeship training for skill development of youths

NPCIL regularly conducts structured training programmes for engineers, supervisors, technicians and skilled personnel to meet the requirements of operating stations, projects and upcoming nuclear power projects. Every year, orientation training programme for Engineers, Supervisors and Technicians; Skill Development program for technical staff; Leadership & Soft Skills Training Sessions commensurate with the level of the employees; Licensing & Qualification for Operation & Maintenance and core group; Emergency Preparedness & Radiation Safety Training and Industrial Safety Training to all stakeholders, is being conducted. Refresher courses are also being conducted periodically.

In addition, capacity building is also being done through programs available on iGOT Karmayogi Portal for the employees.

During the last five years, a total of 917 Trainee Scientific Officers (TSOs) were admitted to the BARC Training Schools, out of which 863 successfully completed training and were absorbed as Scientific Officers in various units of DAE. During the last five years, the total intake of Category-I and Category-II trainees was 590 and 1,308, respectively. Out of which, 51 Category-I trainees and 107 Category-II trainees have been absorbed into BARC, while the remaining trainees are currently undergoing training. They will be absorbed in BARC upon successful completion of their training.

Additionally, 15 Radiography Technique and Radiological Safety Level-2 courses were conducted during the last five years. A total of 514 participants attended these courses, out of which 446 successfully completed and were awarded certificates.