The international seminar called “Operating Personnel Communicativeness during Emergencies. NPP Personnel Training Experience” was closed at Balakovo NPP on March 24, 2011. It was organized by the Moscow Centre of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO MC) together with the host party.

The seminar engaged 30 experts from eight countries, they represented the nuclear power plants, constructed in accordance with Russian projects: Kozloduy NPP (Bulgaria), Mochovce NPP (Slovakia), Dukovany NPP (Czech Republic), Busher NPP (Iran), Tianwan NPP (China), Paksh NPP (Hungary), nuclear power plants of Energoatom NEGC (Ukraine), Prognoz – Obninsk research and development centre and Sevastopol National University of Nuclear Energy and Industry.

“It is a great honor for us to host our colleagues from different countries”, Chief Engineer of Balakovo NPP Valery Bessonov said in his welcoming speech. “The seminar’s topic is very relevant, as efficient personnel training is a guarantee of safe and reliable operation of a nuclear power plant. And this trend shall be continuously developed and improved in accordance with the time; it shall be based on the advanced experience and know-how.”

Three intense working days were distinguished by a fruitful exchange of information and experience in the field of nuclear power plant operating personnel training and upgrading of operating personnel professional communicativeness (operative negotiations, switching over, and team cooperation) in standard and emergency conditions.

The seminar participants visited training classes as well as the full-scale simulator of the educational and training centre, Turbine Island, unit control room of power unit No.4 and Information Centre of Balakovo NPP.

“All issues stated in the program were fully considered during the seminar. I am pleased with its results – just like the rest of the participants,” Seminar Coordinator, Advisor of WANO Moscow Centre Anatoly Zinchenko said at the closing meeting.

The next seminar related to the exchange of the NPP personnel training experience and communication techniques is to be held in 2013.