VN — VnExpress
Specialized Human Resources Are the Biggest Gap to Fill for Vietnam's Nuclear Power Program
Policy2 min read
Vietnam is restarting its nuclear power plans, and an expert says the biggest gap is skilled people. Vietnam needs experienced engineers, researchers and operators to run nuclear plants safely for many years.
What happened
Tran Chi Thanh, head of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (Vinatom), spoke with VnExpress about what Vietnam must prepare for as it restarts its nuclear power program. He said building plants is only the first step. Vietnam also needs to build strong science and technology skills, training and management to run nuclear power safely over the long term.
A three-part system
Experience from countries with nuclear power shows that three pillars are needed. The first is the power plants themselves, which are built and run as the investor requires. The second is the regulator, which sets rules and checks safety for people and the environment. The third is research and development, where institutes and universities give advice, analyze technical problems and answer safety questions from projects and regulators. Research also trains the next generation of experts, because young staff learn from senior experts while they work on real studies.
Key facts
- Training a main operating team can take about 10 years, based on the experience of some countries with nuclear power.
- A university degree, which gives the basic knowledge, usually takes about 4 to 6 years.
- After that, workers take advanced courses and train on simulators. They may then need a few more years of work experience at a plant before taking a key job.
- Not every graduate can work in a reactor control room. Engineers must prove they understand the reactor and can handle problems, especially emergencies.
Why it matters
Nuclear plants need people who can spot problems early and stop them from getting worse. A skilled operator can handle a broken pipe or a failed pump safely. A less prepared worker may make the situation worse. Because the training takes many years, Vietnam must start building its skilled workforce now if it wants safe plants in the future.
What to watch
- How Vietnam builds training programs for reactor engineers and operators.
- How many experienced engineers and researchers the country can add to its teams.
- Whether universities and research institutes grow to support both plants and regulators.
- How Vietnam uses simulators and analysis tools to train staff for emergencies.
Glossary
- Vinatom
- The Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, a Vietnamese state body that works on nuclear energy research and expertise.