Technical Working Group on Managing Human Resources and Knowledge in the Field of Nuclear Energy (TWG- MHRK)

Background

In 1994, the Technical Working Group on Training and Qualification of NPP Personnel was established, to be later, in 2008, refocused on the Management of Human Resources Since then the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Managing Human Resources in the Field of Nuclear Energy (TWG-MHR) has been a group of experts to provide advice and to support the IAEA programme implementation, reflecting a global network of excellence and expertise in the area of integrated management of human resources including education, personnel training, qualification, performance improvement and knowledge management, for the field of nuclear energy.

With the recommendation of the Standing Advisory Group on Nuclear Energy (SAGNE), the Technical Working Group on Nuclear Knowledge Management (TWG-NKM) was established in April 2013 as an advisory group of experienced and senior nuclear sector professionals. Its mandate is to provide strategic and practical advice and assistance to the IAEA for programme development and implementation, reflecting global, regional and national issues and priorities of concern in the area of nuclear knowledge management (NKM).

In 2022, as part of the programmatic evolution in the NE department, the new Technical Working Group (TWG) on Managing Human Resources and Knowledge in the Field of Nuclear Energy (TWG-MHRK) is created.

Scope

1. Nuclear Knowledge Management (NKM), to ensure implementation of KM programme in nuclear organizations:
   • Capture, transfer, and dissemination of knowledge;
   • Identification of critical knowledge and risk evaluation;
   • Monitoring of knowledge management implementation;
   • Knowledge-loss risk management;
   • Strengthening communication on NKM Digital Hub;
   • Nuclear education and networks.
      
2. Human Resource Development (HRD), to ensure reliable supply of competent workforce for the nuclear industry and other peaceful uses of nuclear energy:
   • Workforce planning for nuclear programmes;
   • Long term staffing plans for nuclear programmes;
   • Recruitment, selection and development of personnel;
   • Gender Equality;
   • HR communication and branding;
   • Competencies development;
   • New technologies in training.
      
3. With the scope of the TWG-MHRK are the following organizations:
   • All types of nuclear facilities, including nuclear power programmes, throughout their entire life cycles;
   • Research and development, training and technical support organizations involved in providing human resource development for nuclear facilities and activities;
   • Educational providers in the area of nuclear technology;
   • Regulatory authorities.

Function

The functions of the TWG are the following:

1. To provide advice to DDG-NE on specific topics of relevance to the IAEA’s programmatic activities;
2. To share information and knowledge on national and international programmes;
3. To contribute to the development and/or review of selected IAEA publications, in particular from the IAEA Nuclear Energy Series, assess existing gaps and advise on the preparation of new publications or e-learning materials;
4. Upon request, to present to the Standing Advisory Group on Nuclear Energy (SAGNE) the key findings of the TWG meeting; and
5. To share experience and advice on increasing the participation of young professionals and improving the gender balance in the nuclear sector.

Membership

Members of the TWG-MHRK shall be recommended by the Nuclear Power Engineering Section and Nuclear Knowledge Management Section, endorsed by the respective national authorities or organizations, and appointed by the Deputy Director General of the Department of Nuclear Energy.

Members of the TWG-MHRK:

• shall be recognized experts in nuclear science, technology or engineering having extensive experiences in national nuclear organizations;
• shall have experience and understanding of nuclear knowledge management issues and approaches;
• are to serve for a standard length of four years;
• shall participate in the Group in their personal capacity and shall provide as appropriate views on policies and strategies in the field; and
• may, as appropriate, bring experts to provide additional information and share experiences in the meetings of the TWG-MHRK.

Term Duration

The duration of a TWG (“term”) is four (4) years, which may be renewed multiple times, without limitation. Members/Observers are appointed for the term (or any remaining portion thereof) and may serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms.