Strengthening Regulatory Competence in Pakistan

National Institute of safety and Security

Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority

Presentation Layout

Background

Competence development approach

Competence Needs Assessment

Establishment of Training Institute

Competency development program of PNRA

EduTA and ETRES Mission to Pakistan

Conclusions

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Background

PNRA was established in 2001 to regulate:

Nuclear Installations: NPPs, RRs, safety class equipment manufacturing industry, molybdenum production facility

Radiation facilities and associated activities e.g. nuclear medical centers, industrial radiography agricultural research centers, and Irradiators used for sterilization of medical equipment and food

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Major tasks of PNRA:

Make and enforce rules, regulations

Review and assess licensee submissions

Grant licenses to nuclear installations and operating personnel

Award licenses to radiation facilities

Conduct inspections to ensure compliance

Ensure emergency preparedness plans are in place

Ensure physical protection of nuclear installations, nuclear materials, radiation facilities and

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Background

• PNRA adopted two pronged approach for recruitment:

– Fast track recruitment drive – by selecting University Graduates on the basis of excellent academic record and best performance in test/ interview; and

–Recruitment through fellowship scheme

Development Approach

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• PNRA initiated fellowship schemes for Master Programs at:

– Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) – sponsored 10 fellows/year

– Karachi Institute of Nuclear Power Engineering (KINPOE) – sponsored 5 fellows/year

• Manpower strength was taken to 300 with more than one third having MS Degrees in Nuclear Eng.

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Development Approach

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Beneficiaries of the Competence Development Program

Training Beneficiaries

FLOs, Rescue Organizations,

Security Agencies

Public PNRA

Radiation Workers

Competence Need Assessment

IAEA NSS 12

Nuclear Security

IAEA SS-79 TECDOC 1757

(SARCoN)

Nuclear Safety

Identified 52 training modules for junior, intermediate and senior

Competence Needs Assessment

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Competence Needs Assessment

Training courses were categorized as follows:

• Level-1 is Basic training course – for beginners

• Level-2 is Professional Training Course (both level-1 & 2 were designed for junior officers)

• Level-3 are advanced level courses for intermediate staff

• Level-4 are managerial courses for senior officials

Establishment of Training Institute

• In 2006, the Govt. allocated funds for the establishment of following training centers:

– School for Nuclear and Radiation Safety (SNRS)

–Nuclear Security Training Center (NSTC)

(for training in nuclear safety and security)

• In Jan 2014, these centers were merged and National Institute of Safety and Security (NISAS) was established.

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NISAS Inauguration

NISAS Building

Inauguration of NISAS by DG (IAEA) in March 2014

Facilities at NISAS

Safety Labs Security Labs • Physical model lab

(scale down models of PWR major equipment)

• Non-Destructive Testing lab

• Soft Panel Training Simulator

P.P Interior/ Exterior Labs

• Radiation Detection Lab (RDE)

• Intrusion Detection System (IDS)

• Access Control System (ACS)

• CCTV / Mock-up model lab

NISAS have classrooms and well equipped labs

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Competency Development Program

PNRA adopted following initiatives:

(a) In-house training programs

(b) Launching of fellowship scheme

(c) Trainings arranged at national organizations

(d) International Cooperation

(e) Higher studies at national/international institutions

(f) IAEA support for competence development

(g) Knowledge sharing program

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In-house training program

• NISAS arranges basic and advance level training courses in nuclear safety identified through CNA as Level-I to Level-IV for PNRA and other stakeholders.

• It also organizes training courses in nuclear security and physical protection area for officials of PNRA and security agencies, rescue organizations and first responders.

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186 training courses have been conducted (around 4000 have attended these courses)

7 6 14 25 25 19 25 27 22 16

215

95

270

438 399 408

562

698

549

464

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

No. of Trg Courses No. of Participants

Training in Nuclear Safety:

In-house training program

Training in Nuclear Security:

125 training courses have been conducted. (around 2500 participants have attended)

5 9 9

20 21 18 20 11

5 7

133 197

152

392 382 363 395 240

155 177

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

In-house training program

Launching of fellowship scheme

• PNRA signed agreements with PIEAS and KINPOE

• Master in Nuclear/ System Engineering/ Med Phys.

• Master in Nuclear Power Engineering

• These graduates have in-depth nuclear knowledge

• Their professional development in regulatory practices is required.

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Training at National Organizations

• PNRA attached few engineers with CHASCENT* for postgraduate diploma on PWR systems

• It has attached few engineers for power plant operation training.

• A group was attached with CHASCENT for plant simulator training .

• A number of PNRA inspectors attended level-1 and level-2 trainings at PWI and NCNDT

*Chashma Centre for Nuclear Training 18

International Cooperation

• PNRA has established bilateral agreements with NNSA, research organizations and institutes of China country for competency development in nuclear safety reviews, inspections of NPPs, education and training, R&D.

• Few officers were attached for 18 months with USNRC for hands on regulatory training.

• A number of technical staff have attended the “KINS-KAIST International Nuclear and Radiation Safety Master’s Degree Program” in Korea .

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Higher Studies

• PNRA facilitated officers to pursue higher studies (PhD) both at national and international prominent universities.

• Few have successfully completed their PhDs and have joined back the organization

• Some are still pursuing their studies.

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IAEA Support

• IAEA has arranged a number of foreign experts as resource persons in national workshops and training courses.

• Few fellows have attended the “Postgraduate Educational Course in Radiation Protection & Safety of Radiation Sources” held in Malaysia.

• A number of experts from equipment suppliers delivered operational training on various types of radiation, detection and dose monitoring

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IAEA Support (Cont…)

• IAEA assistance in establishment of PPIL* and PPEL*, which is a land mark of cooperation between IAEA and Pakistan. These labs are functional and trainees are benefiting.

• IAEA has supported PNRA in the safety culture self assessment; two training courses and two support missions were arranged under this program.

• Competency of 20 officers has been enhanced to conduct "safety culture self assessment".

* Physical Protection Interior/exterior Labs 22

Knowledge Management

• PNRA has initiated knowledge sharing program

• PNRA invites senior officials of the technical and scientific organizations to share their life time experiences with technical staff.

• Such talks are always inspiring for the young staff and boost them for future challenges.

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EduTA and ETRES Mission to Pakistan

• Pakistan has hosted the IAEA Education and Training Appraisal (EduTA) and Education &Training Review Service (ETRES) Missions in November 2013.

• Evaluated national level arrangements for education & training in nuclear/radiation safety

• This activity has assisted us to develop a comprehensive picture of nuclear safety education and training at national level.

• The missions have highly applauded PNRA for its competence developments efforts

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Conclusions

• A sufficient number of manpower is available with most of the staff having Master Degrees in nuclear engineering

• All regulatory spheres are considered for development of knowledge, skill and competence

• Competence development has enabled PNRA to perform regulatory oversight of nuclear installations and radiation facilities in the country

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• Available competency enabled PNRA to provide technical support to IAEA for capacity building in embarking countries, review missions etc.

• In 2014, the IRRS mission to Pakistan in its report acknowledged the level of expertise available with the authority.

• The improved performance is an indication of the strenuous efforts of PNRA for implementing a well structured competence development program.

Conclusions

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Thanks

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