How well do your engineers communicate with your operators? Not just talk, but really communicate? Engineers come from all different backgrounds and disciplines. Sometimes even getting an electrical engineer to understand a mechanical engineer can take some effort. Why? Well, let’s see: (1) their interests are different, (2) their experiences are different, (3) their areas of expertise are different, (4) their perspectives are different and so on and so on. Now consider the differences between engineers and operators. Of course it’s impossible to make everyone’s interests, experiences, areas of expertise, and perspectives the same, so how can we improve the communication between workers?

One way would be to ensure that they all understand the fundamental principles relative to the nuclear industry. I’m not talking about developing a unique fundamentals training course for engineers. I’m talking about sending engineers through the exact same fundamentals training program that operators receive before they can even go on to licensing class. If every engineer has the same fundamentals training on nuclear plant design, engineering principles, and applied sciences that operators have, then every engineer has a common foundation upon which they can begin to build their professional working relationships.

Consider for a moment that a young engineer who has just graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering or Civil Engineering or even Mechanical or Nuclear Engineering has probably only taken one thermodynamics class, and that was most likely 2-3 years before graduation. How much does he/she remember and how much of that one thermodynamics course was specifically applied to nuclear power plant design and operation? (University courses are usually more theoretical than practical!) And Electrical, Civil, and Mechanical Engineers have probably never even had a course on nuclear reactor theory or nuclear power plant design.

Now think of the benefits of sending young engineers through an initial training program that includes the same generic fundamentals training that operators receive, i.e., they can begin their careers understanding and TALKING the same language as the operators. And why limit ourselves to young engineers? There are many older, experienced engineers who would benefit from cross-discipline training as well.

In the past, such a lofty goal would have been prohibitively expensive and totally impractical. But with NuScholar’s innovative training solution no classroom is required, no instructor is required, and modular courses can be administered to any number of students, anywhere, and at any time. And don’t limit this training opportunity to only engineers. Technicians and managers would benefit as well.

Just think of the possibilities!