Review Article

Education, training and mobility, knowledge management: towards a common effort to ensure a future workforce in Europe and abroad

¹ European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN), Rue d’Egmont 11, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
² Institute of Nuclear Technology and Energy Systems, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
³ Chalmers University of Technology, Department of Physics, Division of Subatomic, High Energy and Plasma Physics, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
⁴ European Commission Joint Research Centre, Westerduinweg 3, 1755 LE Petten, The Netherlands
⁵ Czech Technical University in Prague, Břehová 7, 11519 Prague, Czech Republic
⁶ Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Vazovova 5, 812 43 Bratislava, Slovakia

^* e-mail: gabriel.pavel@enen.eu

Received: 21 March 2022
Revised: 15 December 2022
Accepted: 17 January 2023
Published online: 15 May 2023

Abstract

Continuous and future-oriented education and training as well as knowledge management for young talents are required for the safe and reliable operation of nuclear reactors and nuclear facilities in Europe. A dedicated line of collaborative projects addresses the specific needs, such as lack of personnel (project ENEN+: “attract, retain and develop new nuclear talents beyond academic curricula”). State-of-the-art approaches and in-depth knowledge are provided when it comes to reactor physics (project GRE@T-PIONEeR: “graduate education alliance for teaching the physics and safety of nuclear reactors”) or nuclear radiochemistry (project A-CINCH: “augmented cooperation in education and training in nuclear and radiochemistry”). A highly skilled nuclear engineer must undergo experimental work to better observe theoretical principles at work. Following the ENEEP (European nuclear experimental educational platform) initiative, a network of research reactors and special laboratories is made available for performing such activities. Another issue found is that the results of Euratom-funded research activities are spread across multiple platforms and websites making it difficult to find relevant information within a reasonable timeframe. Such a situation requires the application of knowledge management actions. The PIKNUS project aims to define a concept of a knowledge management method and tool to improve the sharing and availability of Euratom research results. All projects successfully demonstrate that European collaboration could address certain needs to attract, develop and retain young talents in future-oriented nuclear fields.