Response to the Challenges of Technological Change on a Safeguards Equipment Support Organization: Design of a Performance-Based Training Program

In this paper we examine the challenges facing the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) maintenance and technical support infrastructure as a result of rapid technological change. The IAEA has been striving to accommodate a progression to newer, digital, computer-based technologies. The rate of change of new technologies has been accelerated by the IAEA's efforts to strengthen safeguards with the use of unattended and remote monitoring technologies. The strengthened safeguards system that relies on these newer technologies requires new knowledge, skills and abilities on the part of the inspectors, engineers, technicians, and other technical support personnel. The U.S. Support Program to IAEA Safeguards is assisting the Agency in responding to these challenges by developing a long-range training program for the technicians assigned to the Department of Safeguards Section for Equipment Installation and Maintenance (TIM).