Key Issues
Personnel Training
View this fact sheet as a printer-friendly PDF
June 2009
Key Facts
- After investigating the 1979 accident at Three Mile Island, the Kemeny Commission recommended that the U.S. nuclear energy industry “set and police its own standards of excellence.” Within nine months of the accident, the industry formed the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) to promote excellence in nuclear power plant operations, including the training of personnel.
- The nuclear industry established a comprehensive system of personnel training and qualification. It created the National Academy for Nuclear Training to integrate the training programs of INPO, the training efforts of all U.S. nuclear energy companies and the independent activities of the National Nuclear Accrediting Board.
- The industry’s training programs have been extremely successful. Since 1979, the number of professional training staff and the space dedicated to training activities have increased. The investments in training have yielded significant improvements in nuclear power plant safety and reliability in the past 30 years.
- The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission provides oversight of virtually all aspects of nuclear power plant operator training.
- In 1993, the NRC issued a rule that recognized the industry’s training and accreditation efforts.
- In 1994, the NRC issued a rule that allows each nuclear power plant operating company—rather than the agency—to conduct the requalification examination for licensed operators every two years.
