The safe and sustainable use of the nuclear energy requires operating personnel that have adequate scientific and engineering capabilities. Correspondingly, the necessary regulating, engineering and technical support in all related fields should be available throughout the lifetime of a nuclear power plant. Training is essential, particularly when state-of-the-art science and technology must be implemented. Thus, access to high level education and training on the key matters has to be promoted and the availability of important knowledge and tools for its transfer should be guaranteed in order to ensure the safe operation of NPPs. Most of the EU Member States that operate VVER reactors are relatively small and not have the capability to manage on their selves with such problems that are of EU magnitude. For this reason it is necessary to improve and expand the methods for providing training in VVER technology to regional and also EU extent. To meet these challenges the CORONAII project was launched. The project is focused on building Europe-wide source for education and training and knowledge preservation in the VVER Technology area. Following The Copenhagen Declaration it will provide tools for cross-border education and training, as well as inclusion of countries across Europe in a common platform.
By diminishing the risks related to human factors faced by the nuclear energy sector, CORONA II will directly benefit to the well-being of the EU citizens. Furthermore, the availability of a single source of knowledge on VVER technology will facilitate the workforce mobility within the Union. Special attention is devoted to society critical issues, such as nuclear facilities’ decommissioning and public information. The training devoted to the public communicators will give them knowledge on VVER related issues to allow them to communicate with their audiences in a proper and educated manner and thus increase their comfort of life. The nuclear safety culture is strongly presented in every training course, and is additionally treated separately.
Following its general objective - to enhance the safety of nuclear installations through further improvement of the training capabilities, the project will establish a state-of-the-art regional training network for VVER competence as a viable solution for supporting transnational mobility and lifelong learning among VVER operating countries.