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Minutes from the June 2011 meeting are posted
In the link below you will find the draft minutes from the June 2011 meeting that was held in Hollywood, Florida. Executive committee members should review the draft of the minutes and be prepared to discuss this at the next meeting.2011 Winter Meeting Agenda
In the link below you will find the agenda for the 2011 Winter Meeting. Executive committee members should review the agenda in preparation for the next meeting.University, Industry, and Goverment Relations Committee Report
The committee met on Sunday, June 26, at the Weston Diplomat Hotel in Room 212 from 9:30-10:30 am. We had 12 attendees representing all three entities: universities, industry, and the federal government. We received reports on future funding to universities from both the NRC and DOE. We also discussed the Annual ANS Student Design Contest, which is in its 35th year. The committee chair, Lee Dodds, suggested that the ETWD division start thinking about succession planning for the new chair of the committee. Lee has been the committee chair for over 15 years and plans to retire from the University of Tennessee by Jan. 1, 2012, so the committee will need a new chair. Lee requested that the new committee chair have a “genuine passion” for promoting university participation the Student Design Contest, which is the main function of the committee and provides an opportunity for students to have probably their first professional publication as well as their first experience at giving an oral presentation at a national ANS meeting. In short, the annual contest provides significant benefits to students and to the universities that they represent. Submitted by, Lee Dodds Committee...A Message from the Chair
The Role of Nuclear Professionals as Public Educators The history of the development of peaceful uses of nuclear energy is accentuated by a number of significant emotional events. Some have been distinctly positive; the first man-made self-sustaining fission reaction, the first electricity generated by atomic energy, feats accomplished by the first nuclear powered naval vessels, the invention of life-saving nuclear medicine techniques, etc. During and following each of these milestones our collective understanding of the technology has continued to evolve and mature with increased knowledge and experience. Other periods are defined by negative significant emotional events; reactor accidents at SL-1, Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and now Fukushima Daiichi. Following each of these accidents the worldwide nuclear community has reacted by systematically dissecting the mechanical, natural, and human responses to the accident, then squeezing every drop of information and every lesson learned from the experience. Inevitably oversight is enhanced, nuclear regulations evolve, reactor and power plant designs are updated, worker training adjusts, and operating practices improve. Together these responses result in a prompt jump in our collective knowledge and understanding, and increases in safety margins. While the nuclear community’s knowledge and understanding has continued to grow, we’ve been less successful in helping our ultimate stakeholders, the public, understand our technology. Lack of information and knowledge can lead to mistrust and fear, and in this era of instant communications, social media, and streaming video in every pocket this shortcoming can be disastrous. For example, in Germany opponents of nuclear energy have convinced the public that nuclear plants pose an unacceptable level of risk. This despite the fact that shutting down their...Executive Summary: Conference on Nuclear Training and Education 2011
The 2011 Conference on Nuclear Training and Education took place from February 6 – 9 in Jacksonville, Florida. Over 300 international participants and 26 exhibitors contributed in making this a highly successful CONTE. Trainers and educators from industry and higher education covered a range of topics from operator fundamentals to new nuclear power plants. The conference kicked off on Sunday with a Super Bowl reception sponsored by Excelsior College. Co-Chairs Dr. Jane LeClair and Patrick Berry joined general chair Steve Kuczynski to open with a plenary session on Monday featuring Donna Jacobs and Jean Llewellyn. Many speakers, including NRC Commissioner William Magwood, discussed the renaissance of the nuclear industry along with the need for a highly qualified and educated future workforce to sustain this growth. CONTE 2011 aimed at furthering this cause and emphasizing effectiveness in nuclear training and education. On Tuesday, participants attended presentations on the Nuclear Uniform curriculum, online and blended learning, and a panel on reactor operator licensing. Keynote speaker Charles Pardee discussed accreditation. Presenters from the United Kingdom, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and the IAEA gave international perspectives. CONTE concluded on Wednesday with Dr. Krista Terry’s discussion on the next generation of learners and Dr. Harold Blackman’s presentation on future global energy needs. The meeting promoted the effective ness of nuclear training and education and represented views from universities, industry and technology leaders in the...Minutes from the November 2010 meeting are posted
In the link below you will find the draft minutes from the November 2010 meeting that was held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Executive committee members should review the draft of the minutes and be prepared to discuss this at the next meeting.Update from the University-Industry-Government Relations Committee
The University-Industry-Government Relations Committee administers the Annual ANS Student Design Contest. The finalists selected by an independent panel of judges for the 2010 Contest are: Undergraduate Category North Carolina State University University of Rhode Island Graduate Category University of Michigan, Ann Arbor University of Tennessee These student groups presented their efforts at the Winter ANS Meeting. A second panel of independent judges selected the top winners in each category as University of Rhode Island and University of...Robert L. Long Training Excellence Award to be presented at the national level for 2011
National Honors and Awards unanimously approved the ETWDD proposal to elevate the Robert L. Long Training Excellence Award to a Society national level award. This will be official for 2011. The award will be presented at the ANS awards luncheon in November of the even calendar years and will be recognized at the November ANS awards luncheon in the odd calendar years but presented at...Upcoming Meetings & Events – November 2010
Here is a list of ETWDD related meetings and events that will take place on Saturday and Sunday before the ANS Annual Meeting in Las Vegas the week of November 7-11, 2010 (check the program for locations): Saturday, November 6th •Teacher’s Workshop – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM •Professional Divisions Workshop – 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM Sunday, November 7th •University/Industry/Government Relations Committee Meeting – 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM •ETWDD Program Committee Meeting – 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM •Alpha Nu Sigma – 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM •Executive/Membership/Honors and Awards – 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM In the link below you will find the agenda for the November 2010 ETWDD Executive Committee...A Message from the Chair
Efforts to build the next generation of nuclear power plants in USA seem to fall one step back for every two steps forward. Problems with financing, competition from low natural gas prices, and lower electricity demand forecasts have slowed or halted plans by many American utilities to build new nuclear power plants. On the surface these developments might seem to lessen the need for a robust pipeline of new nuclear engineers, technicians, and scientists, but that is far from true. Globalization of the nuclear supply chain and the steady growth of nuclear energy in Asia, Europe and Africa are creating demand for nuclear talent around the world. As I write this letter, there are 58 reactors under construction in the world, several more about to begin construction (including 4 in the USA), and contracts for additional new reactors are being signed each month. Many of these new reactors are located in nations and regions without an existing nuclear workforce or nuclear education and training infrastructures. The international nuclear expansion is creating new career opportunities for experienced “nukes” and a worldwide marketplace for nuclear talent. Coupled with the pending retirement of 15-30% of the workforce over the next five or so years, this global demand means young people entering the nuclear industry today have opportunities many of us never dreamed of. It also means existing nuclear education and training programs will need to operate at peak efficiency to feed this national and global hunger for nuclear brainpower. There’s a lot going on to meet these workforce challenges including rising enrollments in nuclear engineering programs, roll-out of the “Nuclear Uniform Curriculum”...Updates from the June 2010 Meeting
The ETWDD Workforce Committee met on June 13, 2010 in San Diego. Updates were provided on the Conference on Nuclear Training and Education (CONTE) 2011, the NRC Nuclear Education Program, and the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program. CONTE 2011 call for papers has been issued, and plans are on schedule for obtaining sponsors, speakers, and session participants. NRC recently announced $20 million in educational awards—$5 million for curriculum development, and $15 million to fellowships, scholarships, community colleges, and faculty development. The Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program (NUCP) currently has 50 utility/education partnerships participating in the program. The first NUCP certificates were issued to graduating students by two partnerships in May 2010. An ad hoc committee, established in late 2009, developed program governing documents that were recently provided to the industry: Agreement of Understanding; sustainability, oversight, accreditation interface, and NUCP certificate guidance, Challenge Meeting guidance: readiness to issue NUCP certificates; and sample...Minutes from the June 2010 meeting are posted
In the link below you will find the DRAFT minutes from the June 2010 meeting that was held in San Diego, California. Executive committee members should review the draft of the minutes and be prepared to discuss this at the next meeting.November 2009 Meeting Minutes
The approved minutes from the November 2009 ETWDD Executive Committee meeting are available.Support is Growing for the 2010 ANS Student Conference
ANS Student Chapter members used the 2009 Winter Meeting as an opportunity to build support for the 2010 Student Conference. One company providing sponsorship is Entergy Nuclear, the first “Tritium” level sponsor of this important event. In this photo John Wheeler, Entergy’s Sr. Manager, Nuclear Workforce Planning and Vice Chair of our ETWD Executive Comittee presents a check for $25,000 to Travis Trahan, the Student Conference Co-Chair. In the photo are (left to right): Donna Jacobs, Entergy’s Sr. Vice President, Planning, Development, & Oversight; Kelle Barfield, Entergy’s Vice President, Public Affairs; Adam Hoffman and Travis Trahan from Univ. of Michigan; John Wheeler, and ANS President Tom Sanders. The 2010 ANS Student Conference was held on April 8-11, 2010 at the University of Michigan. More information may be found at...Fall 2009 Meeting of the ETWD Executive Committee
From left to right – Standing: Lisa Marshall, Peter Caracappa, Ann Winters, John Wheeler, and Patrick Berry. Seated: Brian Hajek, Kent Hamlin, Richard Holman, and Mike...ETWD Fall 2009 Newsletter
Our fall newsletter has been distributed. In this issue you’ll find information about upcoming meetings and events, a report on CONTE 2009 (it was a great success!) and many other topics. Enjoy!Archive
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