1.1.2. Availability of qualified NPP personnel

Availability of qualified NPP personnel is an important issue for PLiM; this includes validated staff selection methods and organizational issues. Even if NPPs are technologically at a high level they still require to be operated in a manner that conforms to safety prescriptions, technical specifications (TS), and good practices, which includes avoidance of transients, for example. However, due to the slowdown in new NPP construction, particularly in the West, over the last 20 years, there has been little incentive for young engineers to embark on a career in the nuclear power sector. Universities and other seats of learning have thus stopped or drastically reduced nuclear technology courses as a response to the falling demand.