The Use of Virtual Reality to Enhance Safeguards Inspector Training

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Department of Safeguards provides initial, continuing, and advanced training to Safeguards Inspectors in formal training courses, usually at the Vienna International Center, the Safeguards Analytical Laboratory, or remote sites such as Los Alamos National Laboratory. These formal training courses are scheduled in advance and integrated by management with Inspector work schedules, changes in postings, and professional development needs. Refresher training needs, however, are difficult to meet through formal training. Safeguards Inspectors are expected to be able to use or service a wide assortment of nondestructive assay (NDA), containment, and surveillance equipment in the field. Competence in the performance of many of the equipment-related activities is maintained through performing the tasks periodically. Some equipment-related activities, however, may not be performed often enough by an individual Inspector to maintain proficiency, so when he or she encounters these tasks on an assignment, refresher training is required to reestablish proficiency. Because of the unpredictability of equipment-specific refresher training needs, formal courses at the VIC are not an effective means for delivering the required training. One promising alternative is the use of computer based training (CBT) employing virtual reality (VR). This paper will focus on the advantages of individualized, as-needed training, VR based CBT, and improving the effectiveness of Safeguards Inspector training by using VR based CBT.