In the fast-evolving landscape of the nuclear sector, ensuring that best practices are being used to verify training and competency is important for safety, efficiency, and compliance. It was with this in mind that the CNL Radiation Protection (RP) team in Port Hope and the corporate RP Training team participated in a collaborative exercise to review processes used to verify skill levels and validate RP training among contractors performing radiological work on licensed sites.
The benchmarking session was held at the Darlington Energy Centre, a state-of-the art facility operated by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) as a training centre for nuclear energy workers. The complex is home to many models and replicas, including a full-scale mock-up nuclear reactor, that allows staff to conduct realistic simulations and practice procedures before performing work in radiological environments.
“The primary goal of this exercise is to explore dynamic learning activities in skill assessment as an effective RP training validation method and to gauge the competency of personnel performing radiological work,” said Adetayo Onikosi, Manager of Radiation Protection. “We are grateful for the opportunity to share ways to assess contractor competencies and foster knowledge sharing across both organizations,” added Onikosi.
Feedback gathered during the collaborative training exercise will assist the development of future training verification programs, ensuring contractor RP personnel have the necessary skills to maintain the project compliance standards of the Port Hope Area Initiative.
Continuous improvement and ongoing learning are a critical part of the work at CNL. Maintaining high safety and operational standards through effective training and competency verification play a crucial role in preparing to meet the demands of the nuclear industry.
Pictured L-R: John Lofstedt, Marc Jones, Sam Biggs, Adetayo Onikosi, Azza Habra, Mitch Conan
