International Conference on Nuclear Security 2020

Meeting the Needs of NSSCs: A Modular Approach to Train-the-Trainer

Not scheduled

15m

Poster CC: Capacity building (e.g. human resource development and sustainability, nuclear security education and job-specific performance training including for newcomer countries)

Speaker

Dr Shane Peper (U.S. Department of Energy, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

Description

Meeting the Needs of NSSCs: A Modular Approach to Train-the-Trainer

Authors: Shane Peper (Presenter) and Joan Wilson

The development of human resources [and the maintenance of those resources] to support a State’s nuclear security regime has been identified as a national level sustainability objective (i.e., Objective #6) in the recent IAEA publication NSS-30G, “Sustaining a Nuclear Security Regime”. In addition, this document denotes an operational sustainability objective for developing and maintaining nuclear security competences (i.e., Objective #4), which is typically done through education and training programs. In order to meet the demand for developing and maintaining an adequate number of personnel that possess the requisite nuclear security competences, many States have established Nuclear Security Support Centers. Based on the needs of a State’s nuclear security regime, NSSCs can be tailored to provide support in areas such as scientific support, technical support, and/or human resource development (HRD).
HRD programs often incorporate train-the-trainer (T3) programs to qualify instructors to train in various nuclear security disciplines (e.g., detection, response, physical protection). Typically, these T3 programs are each aligned with a specific nuclear security course/topic, and more often than not, focus on developing basic instructor skills rather than focusing on providing instruction on how to train a specific nuclear security course/topic. This paper will outline a new approach to T3 program development that uses a systematic approach to training (SAT) to develop interactive modules focused on developing the specific skills needed to effectively train foundational courses in various nuclear security disciplines, as well as providing instruction encompassing basic instructor skills. In addition to describing the general approach to the design of the T3 program, additional anecdotal evidence will be presented on how this approach has already been successfully used to support instructor development at select NSSCs and international nuclear security training centers.

Presentation materials

NSD_0582_NSDD-NSSCs_v2.pdf