The operating organization responsible for an NPP has a staff that collec­tively has a variety of scientific, engineering and other technical back­grounds in fields needed to effectively and safely operate and maintain the plant. These include nuclear engineering, instrumentation and control, elec­trical engineering, mechanical engineering, radiation protection, chemistry, emergency preparedness, and safety analysis and assessment. There is a need to have access to national or international expertise to support the NPP operating organization and regulatory body in scientific areas such as neutronics, physics and thermohydraulics and in technical areas such as radiation protection, radioactive waste management, quality management, maintenance and spare parts management.

In addition to the required scientific, engineering and other technical education, normally the relevant staff need three or more years of special­ized training and experience prior to the initial fuel loading of an NPP. For
implementation of a first NPP project, much of this specialized training and experience can be included as part of the contract with the supplier of the NPP technology. It is necessary for the operating organization to establish the rigour, culture, ethics and discipline needed to effectively manage nuclear power technology with due regard to the associated safety, security and non-proliferation considerations (IAEA, 2007c).

Table 6.4 includes the specialization requirements during the stages of construction, commissioning and plant operation.