WP1 Project coordination

WP1 in the first stage deals with running the Network and its work programme. This will require the implementation of the Steering Committee to take the decisions, to deal with the follow-up, to propose improvements and to organise the exchange of information. During the initiating period, meetings will be held in order to constitute the network and to define its working methodology in detail. In addition, an Advisory Board will be set up, giving feed-back and indicating directions to the Steering Committee. This Advisory Board will be composed in such a way that all relevant stakeholders, with respect to the stated aim of the project, are represented. In priority, contacts will be made with EUTERP, HLEG and IAEA. Invitation letters and/or expressions of interest are enclosed in Annex.

In addition, within WP1 also a project website will be developed. Special attention will be given to a visible place on the website where future employers can post opportunities for master theses or internships, thereby opening the doors of their laboratories or hospitals (or associated services) to foreign trainees. Also participation in some specific activities of research projects (e.g. FP7) can be encouraged through this web space.

Objectives: 

• Co-ordination of the project.
• Establishment and maintenance of a project website that provides a portal for interested parties e.g. regulatory bodies, students, trainees, E&T providers, nuclear industry, medical sector, research centres, non-nuclear industry, ...

Description of work

• Organisation of kick-off and subsequent meetings with the Steering Committee and the Advisory board.
• Establish the Advisory Board: contact relevant stakeholders, with respect to the stated aim of the project.
• Project reporting (minutes of meetings, periodic and final reports, …).
• Development of a website structure, including a description of the project, project objectives and deliverables e.g. reference standards, database of recognised training providers, announcements of training events, available OJT, ...
• Update the website on a regular basis.

WP2 Define requirements and methodology for recognition of RPEs

WP2 deals with the requirements for recognition of RPEs and the development of a methodology for the recognition of RPEs. Although the execution of any recognition process is the responsibility of the national Regulatory Authority, ENETRAP II will put forward a harmonised methodology, into line with the national approaches. The existence of this European methodology will facilitate the ultimate goal: a European mutual recognition process for RPEs. Qualification, competence, and continuous professional development will be discussed and elements for these three requirements will be defined.

Objectives

• To define the requirements for national and mutual recognition of RPEs within EU Member States.
• To provide guidance with respect to national schemes for recognition of RPEs.
• To develop a mechanism for the mutual recognition of RPEs between Member States.

Description of work

• On the basis of the outcomes of ENETRAP FP6 and on outcomes and recommendations from EUTERP, establish the key requirements for the recognition of RPEs.
• Develop guidance with respect to the essential components of national schemes for RPE recognition.
• Establish required criteria for the mutual recognition of RPEs between Member States.
• Develop a mechanism (based on the established criteria) for mutual recognition of RPEs.
• Provide guidance with respect to the application of the developed mechanism.

WP3 Define requirements for RPO competencies and establish guidance for appropriate RPO training

Employees, appointed to act as RPOs in hospitals, industrial companies or teaching and research institutions should have an adequate level of understanding of concepts related to radiation protection and understand the radiation protection issues pertinent to their radiation application. Therefore the level and format of training required by an RPO is dependant on the complexity of that application.   It is therefore essential, on the European level, (i) to define requirements for the competencies of RPOs according to their area of work and specific radiation protection tasks, and (ii) to establish European reference standards for RPO training. This is the objective of WP3. It is worth noting that while, in many cases the need for mobility in RPOs is not essential, there are a number of areas, for example, in industrial radiography, where radiation protection is an inherent aspect of the work and where there is a significant degree of movement of  personnel between countries.  In such cases mutual recognition of education and training undertaken would be beneficial and, consequently, some form of training “passport” advantageous.

Objectives

Employees, appointed to act as RPOs in hospitals, industrial companies or teaching and research institutions should have an adequate level of understanding of concepts related to radiation protection and should also be acquainted with the safe and secure use of radiation sources as relevant to the application. Depending on the complexity of the radiation application and the associated radiation protection tasks, RPOs need appropriate training in radiation protection and, in some cases, a certain level of work experience tailored to the specific needs to fulfil particular radiation protection tasks. It is therefore essential, on the European level, (i) to define the required competences for RPOs according to their area of work and specific radiation protection tasks, and (ii) to establish European reference standards for RPO training.

Description of work

• Organisation of kick-off and subsequent meetings with the WP3 participants.
• Defining a detailed work programme for WP3 and subsequent division of tasks.
• Identification of the required level of knowledge, understanding and competence for RPOs across the range of applications of radiation.
• Establishment of European guidance on the content and mechanisms for delivery of  RPO training.

WP4 Establish the reference standard for RPE training

WP4 continues on the achievements of WP2. Here, it is the aim to develop appropriate European radiation protection training schemes (ERPTS), with objectives, target audience(s), audience prerequisites, required topics, suggested durations and evaluation methods for both initial and refresher training of RPEs, taking into account the nature and requirements of the RPE role.  The starting point is the ENETRAP 6FP Training Scheme. Furthermore internationally recognised training material such as the material developed by the IAEA will be incorporated. The ERPTS should meet the requirements of the revised definitions of the RPE and should eventually replace Communication 98/C133/03, as a guide for the Member States to develop, or evaluate, their national strategies for RPE qualification and recognition. The ERPTS should cover a broad knowledge of radiation protection fundamentals, as well as application-specific issues. The ERPTS would facilitate in an objective way individual national authorities in assessing the adequacy and completeness of their own training programmes and compare it with the training programme of other countries. EU wide agreement on the ERPTS would harmonize the qualification of RPEs, while keeping flexibility on a national scale on how to organize their training programme.

Advantage will be taken of existing training schemes that have proven to be efficient. It will be investigated whether they could be "Europeanised", bearing in mind the different scientific cultures and regulatory environments amongst the EU Member States. The experience ("lessons learnt") from some non-nuclear high-tech sectors could also be of interest, e.g. training schemes in the public health sector, in nanotechnologies, etc.

Objectives

To develop appropriate European reference standards for both initial and refresher training of RPEs, taking into account the nature and requirements of the RPE role.  The desired end-points are training standards which should encourage a consistency in approach and, if applied, will help ensure the adequacy of RPE training from training providers.

Description of work

• Organise kick-off and subsequent meetings WP4 participants.
• With reference to the outcome of ENETRAP FP6 define the key requirements for both initial and refresher training for RPE.
• On the basis of these requirements define reference standards for RPEs, to:
• Definition of target audience
• Statement of required levels knowledge, understanding and competence
• Statement of training objectives
• Reference syllabus for initial training
• Guidance on expected content of training materials
• Guidance on required practical components of training
• Guidance on appropriate assessment mechanisms with respect assessment of knowledge, understanding and competence (as relevant)
• Guidance on frequency, content and format of refresher training.

WP5 Development and apply mechanisms for the evaluation of training material, events and providers

WP5 deals with the development and application of mechanisms for the evaluation of training material, events and providers. In Europe, a vast number of training events, material and providers exist. Given that formal recognition is required for RPEs, it would be prudent for training providers involved in the RPE training process to also be formally recognised. The aim of this WP5 is develop a mechanism for the comparison, through a transparent and objective methodology, of training materials, courses and training providers, which can be used by regulatory authorities to evaluate their national radiation protection training programme for compliance with the ERPTS. It is obvious that close collaboration with the national regulatory authorities will be established in order to maximise acceptance of the stakeholders. A survey of applied quality protocols for training material, training event, and training providers in the member states will be carried out. The proposed quality procedures will be in line with world-wide standards like ISO taking into account the protocols currently in use in Europe.

Objectives

To develop a mechanism for the comparison, through a transparent and objective methodology, of training materials, courses and training providers, which can be used by regulatory authorities to evaluate their national radiation protection training programme for compliance with the ERPTS.

Description of work

• Organisation of kick-off and subsequent meetings with the WP5 participants.
• Defining a detailed work programme for WP5 and subsequent division of tasks.
• Identification of the elements that are essential for the comparison of training materials.
• Identification of the elements that are essential for the comparison of training courses, including exercises, On-the-Job-Training, Work Experience, examinations, etc.
• Defining the range of detail for course elements that is sufficient for compliance with the ERPTS.
• Identification of the elements that are essential for the comparison of training providers.
• Setting up and apply a quality assurance protocol for the comparison of training materials, courses and providers on the basis of the above-mentioned elements.
• Reporting to the Steering Committee.

WP6 Create a database of training events and training providers (including OJT) conforming to the agreed standard

WP6 creates a database of training event and providers conform to the agreed standards. The database will be made public through the ENETRAP II website and is thus available for all interested parties. Such a move would add credibility to the recognition process and would help to provide reassurance to RPE candidates and to employers that the training obtained satisfies an agreed European standard. This database will also incorporate an overview of institutes hosting on-the-job-training possibilities. Special attention will also be given to internships in the stakeholders' organisations, with emphasis on coaching and/or mentoring schemes, whenever appropriate. A link can be made with the existing ENEN database.

It is obvious that the courses organised by or at the premises of the partners can be taken as first examples. Examples of training courses that will be introduced are:

• (for Belgium) course for radiation protection expert (in Dutch and French)
• (for UK)  modular Radiation Protection Training Scheme (RPTS) specifically targeted at new and developing RPEs
• (for Germany) Occupational Radiation Protection: Specifities of Waste Management and Decommissioning

Objectives

Create a database of training events and training providers (including OJT) conforming to the agreed standard identified in WP 3 and WP 4.

Description of work

• Identification and collection of the information on training events, providers and OJT facilities on the base of the outcome of previous survey analysis (ENETRAP 6FP questionnaire), interaction with the Advisory Board, contact with national providers.
• To check the conformity of events and providers to the agreed standards.
• Implementation of the information in an easily accessible database.
• Dissemination of the information to promote the continuous up-date of the database (self-supporting system).

WP7 Develop of some course material examples (text book, e-learning modules, …)

In order to provide examples of standardised training material, meeting the requirements of the ERPTS, WP7 will foresee in European text books for several modules of the ERPTS. This textbook is foreseen to be written in English. Since a lot of texts already exist in different countries (and thus different languages), the main work will involve the structuring of this material according to the developments of WP2, 3 and 4, and the translation to English. WP7 will not limit its activities to traditional learning methods, but will also develop ERPTS modules through e-learning platforms. For this last point, ENETRAP II will build further on the work done within the ENETRAP 6FP. The achievements are reported in "WD.08 report on available tools and new concepts for RP training".

As tentative title for the textbook, “Course manual for the European training scheme in radiation protection”, is put forward.

Objectives

Based on the requirements defined for RPE and RPO training, training material of same modules will be developed, as an example of level. This material can be in the form of text books, slides or e-learning modules.

Description of work

• Organisation of kick-off and subsequent meetings with the WP7 participants.
• Defining a detailed work programme for WP7 and subsequent tasks for the process of developing training materials.
• Using the outcomes of WP5, identify and select module(s) of interest both in RPEs or RPOs Training Scheme.
• Defining the most adapted form (text books, slides or e-learning modules) of training materials which will be proposed for RPEs or RPOs.
• Elaborated adapted training material for RPEs or RPOs.
• Reporting to the Steering Committee

WP8 Organise pilot sessions, test proposed methodologies and monitor the training scheme effectiveness

In order to monitor the effectiveness of the proposed methodologies, pilot sessions will be organised. WP8 concentrates on the organisation and supervision of at least three different modules of the ERPTS. From the evaluation and experience of such pilot events recommendations and in case improvements will be expected thus ensuring mutual feedback with the previous WPs.

The courses can be organised traditionally and/or electronically (e.g. using e-learning or distance learning). The EFTS could consist of a mix of internships and collective or individual courses, addressing a variety of profiles. Within the past ENETRAP 6FP, preliminary steps were taken with regard to the organisation and evaluation of pilot courses, using the developed e-learning platform. This experience will be used in ENETRAP II in order to further develop and test several (pilot) courses. Non-EU organisations are welcome to participate, if added value is demonstrated. In addition to the EFTS driven activities, the trainees may naturally participate in existing courses in the EU or abroad, as part of their European Passport.

Pilot courses will be organised in the domain of RP in Waste Mangement and Decommissioning, RP in Non Nuclear and Research, and other relevant application fields (to be defined in the first phase of the project).

Monitoring of the effectiveness will also be performed using existing courses, organized outside the ENETRAP II project. Examples are:

• Radioisotope Traing Course, Karlsruhe,
• Courses for RPOs in various fields, Karlsruhe
• Course for radiation protection expert (in Dutch and French), Belgium
• Modular Radiation Protection Training Scheme (RPTS) specifically targeted at new and developing RPEs, UK
• Occupational Radiation Protection: Specifities of Waste Management and Decommissioning, Germany

Objectives

• To organise and to supervise pilot sessions of selected training events (including OJT) for RPEs according to the agreed ERPTS standard
• To test methodologies and monitor their effectiveness 
• To recommend improvements  for further performance if applicable

Description of work

• Coordinate WP8, organise meetings with WP8 participants and select pilot session packages.
• Organise pilot sessions for RPEs or RPOs and make advertisement (announcements, flyers etc.).
• Fix agreed standards (course materials, performance, examination, evaluation) with local supervisors.
• Implement pilot sessions at FTU and 2 to 3 other locations e.g. ITN (Medicine),  INSTN (EMRP) and assure quality control.
• Evaluate the outcome from pilot sessions and summarise the results.
• Report regularly to Steering Committee and Advisory Board and ensure feedback.

WP9 Introduction of the training passport and mutual recognition system of RPEs

The ultimate goal of the ENETRAP II project is the introduction of a European mutual recognition system for RPEs. In WP9 coordinating actions will be undertaken to establish such a system. Furthermore, the European training passport will be introduced as a tool for facilitating an efficient and transparent mutual recognition system.

Whenever possible, a collaboration will be established with the "training" Working Groups of the three EU "platforms" that were launched in 2007 (in particular, to discuss the added value of a "European training / skills Passport" and the balance between theoretical and practical training that is desired to improve both the quality and the mobility of nuclear experts in public as well as private sector): SNE-TP, ENEF and HLG.

Objectives

• To set up the framework, the criteria and the procedure for the mutual recognition of curricula, courses and training sessions supporting the training of RPEs and RPOs.
• To test the framework and the procedure against currently recognised curricula for RPEs
• To introduce a European training passport as an instrument for the implementation of the mutual recognition of RP training in different countries. 

Description of work

• Drawing on the reference standards developed in WP4 and the evaluations developed in WP5, WP9 establishes the framework for mutual recognition of components of the RP training sessions and develops the criteria and the procedure; experience with accreditation systems for courses and training sessions, and with similar frameworks for mutual recognition, such as European Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering, the EU MSc in Radioecology, and the EMRP will be used.
• The framework, criteria and procedure is applied in a test phase to recognised and well-established RP curricula in different EU countries; adjustments are made as required;
• The framework, criteria and procedure is applied to a variety of components of RPE and RPO education and training programmes in different countries.
• The results of the test phase are documented in a report.
• A prototype for a European Training Passport is developed as an instrument for the implementation of the mutual recognition of the training programmes throughout the EU.
• A survey will be made of the degree of acceptance of the training passport by different stakeholders (regulators, safety organisations, employers using nuclear technologies and/or applications of ionising radiation) in several countries of the EU.
• The result of the survey is documented in a report.   

WP10 Collaboration for building new innovative generations of specialists in radiation protection

Last but not least, within WP10, ENETRAP II foresees in the attraction of young people to the application fields of ionising radiation and radiation protection. Those people who developed concepts in radiation protection and held leadership positions at universities and research institutions to further develop radiation research and educate and train the next generation in Europe are retired or starting to retire. We are facing the same situation for numerous radiation protection experts and officers who devoted their knowledge and experience to build up a high level of radiation safety and security in all radiation applications in industry, medicine and research in Europe. In order to maintain this high level and to further develop a European safety culture, it is necessary to attract more young people by awaking their interest in radiation applications and radiation protection already during their schooldays and later on during their out-of-school education (university or vocational education and training). More young people must be inspired to take an interest in radiation research and prepared to take leadership positions at universities and radiation applications in industry, medicine and research in Europe. Radiation protection experts, in particular, work more and more on a European level. Therefore, tomorrow’s leaders must have an international perspective and must know their colleagues in other countries. That’s why it is important bringing together all the national initiatives at a European level. A collaboration with several national (and the European) nuclear young-generation networks will be established.

Objectives

To promote at a European level:

• Enthusing YG with radiation research and applications;
• Positive measures to recruit and educate young people as experts, technicians and skilled staff in the radiation protection field: from school to university and in industry, medicine and research itself;
• Building the RP Action Plan  as the ENETRAP’s II instrument to enthuse the YG with RP;
• Developing the collaboration with main RP stakeholders for building new innovative generations of RP specialists;
• Possible synergies with other EU projects and networks on HR.

Description of work

• Surveying national and international initiatives which attract young people to develop an interest in radiation protection.
• Designing the Radiation Protection Action Plan, which has two main components:
  • a) Developing the collaboration with all RP stakeholders for building innovative generations for RP sector - It will encourage stakeholders to be actively involved in the RP Action Plan;
  • b) The RP professional development programme (RP-PDP) - It will raise the lecturers’ skills and knowledge base to achieve the RP content upgrading of the RP teaching in EU high schools and Universities by capitalization of suitable ERPTS modules. On the other hand, it will allow an overall improvement in the learning experience for students. RP-PDP will enthuse and activate teachers with the relevance of RP to the education of 21^st century.
• Developing mechanisms for The RP Action Plan implementation.
• To develop collaboration with other EU projects and networks on HR.