Nuclear Energy: An European project to train highly qualified professionals

A European ecosystem in the nuclear sector, capable of attracting, training and retaining in Europe a new generation of highly qualified professionals while supporting European technological competitiveness in both energy and non-energy applications is the objective of the European project ENEN2plus, which involves 51 European partners, including ENEA for Italy, under the coordination of the ENEN association ^[1]. The association comprises 109 members from different areas of the nuclear field, ranging from medicine to scientific research, from industry to environmental protection and from agriculture to food safety.

“The success of the project relies on understanding labor market needs, achieved through an analysis of human resource requirements over the next decade”,  explained Barbara Ferrucci, ENEA project representative and researcher in the Nuclear Department.

“After a mapping exercise covering the traditional nuclear industry, research centers and non-energy applications, a European digital hub was launched to centralize access to university courses, internships, job opportunities and research infrastructures, streamlining the educational and professional pathway for aspiring professionals in the sector.

At the heart of the project was the Mobility Plan which, with an investment exceeding €2.5 million, provided hundreds of students and continuing education professionals with international training experiences at advanced research infrastructures. This resulted in thousands of hours of training and dozens of transnational partnerships.

ENEA contributed to the project by helping draft skills needs analysis documents  in the nuclear sector and by organizing two scientific outreach events: the Winter School on radioactive waste management and safety, and the fourth nuclear competition for high school students.”

“The 4th Nuclear Competition for High School Students featured 15 teams, comprising a total of 15 teachers and 30 students aged 13 to 18 from 10 countries^[2]. The initiative was a great success, with applications received from 135 teams representing over 90 different schools globally” concluded Ferrucci.

ENEN2Plus also enabled the various partners to organize a series of STEM-related initiatives, ranging from large-scale career guidance events to scientific workshops, and culminating in the creation of a European network of secondary school teachers.