INL HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND THE NEXT-GENERATION SAFEGUARDS INITIATIVE

It is the stated goal of the Next Generation Safeguards Initiative (NGSI) to promote the development of a strengthened nuclear safeguards base — one with the potential to advance the secure and peaceful implementation of nuclear energy worldwide. To meet this goal, the initiative, among other things, has sought to develop a revitalized effort to ensure the continued availability of next generation safeguards professionals. Accordingly, this paper serves to outline the human capital building strategies taken by Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in line with and supported by the NGSI. Various components are presented in detail, including INL’s efforts directed at university outreach — in particular, the laboratory’s summer internship program — along with the development of various innovative training programs and long-term oriented strategies for student professional development. Special highlights include a video training series, developed by INL in cooperation with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and other national laboratories, which sought to expose students and entry-level professionals to the concept and practice of international nuclear safeguards.