From 15 through 17 November 2021 ENCO conducts training for personnel of the nuclear regulator of the African countries, participating in the EU-funded ISTC managed Project 60, providing assistance in nuclear security matters. The three-day remote workshop is designed to introduce to the future African inspectors two of the major deliveries from Project 60, namely the Inspection Manual and Inspection Handbook for regulatory security assessments. The two publications were circulated in advance and African experts had the opportunity to discuss their content and recommendations at Q&A sessions, organized on 15th October and on 1st November 2021, via Webex. These preparatory meetings reflected the initial reactions by the targeted audience. For instance, Solomon Getachew, the Head of the Ethiopian regulator, stated the manual and the handbook are very well elaborated and the trainees will be well prepared to gain maximum knowledge and skills from the training course.
On the basis of the feedback questions the ENCO P 60 Expert Team comprising Maja Boskovic, Vladimir Rukhlo, Igor Svyetlov and Sorin Repanovici, fine-tuned the well-structured and balances training program. On the opening the participants will be introduced to the international recommendations on legal and regulatory framework for security of radioactive material. They will refresh their knowledge on the management and inventory control of radioactive sources, including disused and orphan sources, as well as on threat assessment and wetting of licensees.
On the second day security at facilities, information and cyber security will come under survey, as well as the requirements to, the design of, and the effectiveness evaluation of a nuclear security system. Emergency preparedness and response will also be a central topic.
National regulators nominated for the course employees are expected to verify the radioactive source characteristics directly at the border or at the user site. Hence the expected exchange of opinion on the necessity for and usefulness of a common database for radioactive sources transfers, as well as of a secure hotline allowing communication among the ECA regulatory bodies on import/export of radioactive sources related matters.
More than 35 participants from 11 P-60 participating states were selected for the training, upon the completion of which they will receive an attendance certificate.