First Emirati graduates to oversee UAE’s first nuclear energy plants

Building works at the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation’s nuclear power plant unit 1 site at Barakah in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi. A group of 10 Emiratis are now qualified to oversee its operations when it opens. Courtesy EnecShow less

ABU DHABI // Ten graduates have become the first fully qualified Emirati operators with specialist training to oversee operations at the UAE's first nuclear energy plants.
They will join the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation full-time as part of the team working towards the start of commercial operations in 2017, Enec says.
Their work will include supervising operations at a nuclear power plant, reporting on systems, controlling equipment and directly monitoring plant performance.
The training was conducted at facilities in the UAE and Korea. The 15-month training is part of Enec's Energy Pioneers programme.
The programme aims to attract the country's most talented science students, engineering graduates and experienced professionals, and give them the chance to become pioneers in the UAE's nuclear industry.
"It is with great pride that we see our first group of local operators graduate today," said Enec chief executive Mohammed Al Hammadi.
"These are the individuals who will supervise safe and efficient operations at our plants, and throughout their training they have excelled to the highest standards, demonstrating the ability to carry out work with safety and quality at the top of their minds at all times."
Mr Al Hammadi said world-class training was crucial to develop an Emirati workforce with skills and expertise to support the country's peaceful nuclear programme. The training was developed with the main contractor, the Korea Electric Power Corporation.
It was conducted in South Korea and at Enec's simulator training centre at Barakah, in the Western Region.
The local operators will have requalification training every six weeks. They are among three other groups including reactor operators and senior reactor operators who are also being trained as part of the corporation's commitment to develop nuclear energy leaders.
The UAE's four nuclear energy plants will require 2,000 employees by 2020 and Enec's Emiratisation rate is almost 67 per cent.
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