June 1, 2010 

MEMORANDUM TO: Frederick D. Brown, Director 

Division of Inspection and Regional Support 

Nuclear Reactor Regulation 

FROM: John J. McHale, Chief /RA/ 

 Operator Licensing and Training Branch 

Division of Inspection and Regional Support 

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 

SUBJECT: SUMMARY OF THE 2010 ANNUAL U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY 

COMMISSION/INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR POWER OPERATIONS 

COORDINATION MEETING ON TRAINING-RELATED ISSUES 

On May 6, 2010, a periodic public U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)/Institute of 

Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) coordination meeting on training-related issues was held at 

NRC Headquarters, Rockville, Maryland. Such meetings are conducted in accordance with the 

NRC/INPO Memorandum of Agreement dated December 10, 2007. The purpose of the meeting 

was to discuss items of mutual interest concerning INPO's training program accreditation 

process. Participants included representatives of the NRC=s Division of Inspection and Regional 

Support, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR); NRC’s Division of Construction, 

Inspection, and Operational Programs, Office on New Reactors (NRO); Regional Operator 

Licensing Branch Chiefs; and INPO=s Training and Accreditation Division. The list of meeting 

attendees is provided as Enclosure 1. The meeting agenda is provided as Enclosure 2. A 

summary of the discussions related to key agenda topics covered during the meeting follows. 

Introductions and Opening Remarks

An introduction of the members of the public and NRC and INPO personnel present was 

conducted. NRC/INPO provided opening remarks. As part of the opening remarks, INPO and 

NRC discussed organizational changes since the 2009 Coordination Meeting. 

INPO focus areas include accountability for adverse trends and issues; advancing performance 

in management, leadership, and safety culture; and workforce development. In addition, INPO 

continues to advance nuclear safety worldwide. 

The NRC stated the agency is preparing for the Integrated Regulatory Review Service review of 

the NRC regulatory process and comparing the NRC process to international standards. 

Accreditation Update

INPO conducted 29 Accreditation Visits in 2009. NRC observed one Accreditation Team Visit 

(ATV) and observed seven of nine accrediting boards during calendar 2009. 

INPO reported good industry support, in the form of peer members, for ATVs. To improve 

facility accreditation skills, INPO is: 
F. Brown - 2 -

• Conducting three Accreditation Self-Accreditation Report workshops per year using 

peers, 

• Providing mid-cycle accreditation assistance, 

• Conducting an annual Training Director meeting, 

• Conducting training for new training managers to clarify responsibilities and 

commitments, 

• Conducting new supervisor training, and 

• Conducting Instructional Technology workshops to introduce new instructional 

technologists to nuclear training 

The Engineering Support Personnel accredited training program is being updated to reflect 

changes in the industry and technology. A draft of the new program is expected by the end of 

calendar 2010. 

ACAD 10-001, “Guidelines for Initial Training and Qualification of Licensed Operators,” has been 

issued. This ACAD was developed in conjunction with INPO, NRC, and the industry to modify 

the eligibility guidance based on eligibility equivalency requests received by the NRC. The 

ACAD is expected to be used by all facilities starting in 2011. INPO is working on a listing of 

frequently asked questions related to eligibility requirements. 

Training focus areas are determined annually based on accreditation results. Training focus 

areas are considered by each facility in the Accreditation Self-Evaluation Report. 

Accreditation focus areas include: 

• Turnover of senior training managers and supervisors. 

• Systems Approach to Training (SAT) fundamentals and how the training programs are 

maintained using SAT fundamentals. 

• New and supplemental workers, including turnover of the workers, worker training, 

worker introduction to the nuclear culture, and how acceptance and assimilation of the 

safety culture is validated. 

• Licensed operator training, including room for improvement in successfully completing 

initial training, improvements in throughput, increases in candidate monitoring and 

mentoring, increased emphasis on sharing industry best practices, conducting initial 

exam assist visits, and posting licensed operator training data on the web for industry to 

share. 

• Evaluate the potential for shortening the licensed operator training program. One 

avenue is the use of local community college programs. Facilities are sometime 

reluctant to apply for an experience and education waivers due to uncertainty over 

approval and impact on the accreditation process. 
F. Brown - 3 -

New Reactor Accreditation Update 

INPO is working with the NRC, South Texas Units 3 and 4 (STPNOC), Vogtle Units 3 and 4 

(VEGP), and V. C. Summer Units 2 & 3 (Summer), to modify the operator licensing process. 

INPO expects to receive initial accreditation requests from STPNOC, VEGP, and Summer 

during 2011. New reactor initial accreditation is expected three to four years prior to fuel load 

with renewal of accreditation within one year of fuel load. 

Regulatory Issues

The NRC stated that Draft Regulatory Guide DG - 1248, “Nuclear Power Plant Simulation 

Facilities for Use in Operator Training, License Examinations, and Applicant Experience 

Requirements” will soon be issued for comment. Draft Regulatory Guide DG – 1248 accepts 

and endorses: 1) ANSI/ANS-3.5-2009, “Nuclear Power Plant Simulators for Use in Operator 

Training and Examination,” and 2) NEI-09-09, Revision 1, “Nuclear Power Plant-Referenced 

Simulator Scenario Based Testing [SBT] Methodology.” 

Future of Learning

The Future of Learning is fully staffed with three instructors conducting instructor certifications. 

Instructor certification is a two-week blended training program. Blended training programs have 

curricula that can incorporate all methods of training including web-based, face-to-face, 

discussion boards, and individual activities. The instructor certification blended training program 

was pilot tested last year and is now fully implemented. With the exception of the last three days 

of training, the program is fully transportable. The last three days include instructor observation 

and feedback. To date, 80 instructors have completed the program which includes “new 

generation training” as part of the curriculum. Final instructor qualification is the responsibility of 

the facility and is linked to accreditation. 

A Learning Content Management (LCM) system is being developed. LCM is a pool of common 

training material shared by the industry with partitions to allow storage of facility specific material. 

LCM system training will be presented this year at Dominion. It is expected that LCM will be 

implemented industry wide next year. The LCM system offers several advantages, such as 

stronger configuration controls, a single set of lesson plans that can be easily updated based on 

operating experience, improved training program efficiency and effectiveness, examination 

generating capability, and customized training. 

NANTeL Update

The National Academy for Nuclear Training e-Learning (NANTeL) system is a national webbased system that provides standardized, generic training for the supplemental workforce that 

satisfies the industry and the insurer. All U.S. nuclear power plants have agreed to accept 

training delivered through NANTeL. Qualification of the individual remains the responsibility of 

site. 

INPO reported that the use of NANTeL is increasing and is being added to facility outage and 

support contracts to require personnel training prior to arrival on site. Significant Operating 

Event Report training is now web based, and fatigue rule training is being incorporated into 

existing course sources. 

INPO is working with the industry to evaluate changes in the effectiveness of training since the 

implementation of NANTeL. INPO is also working on a five year program plan to increase its 
F. Brown - 4 -

international use, and to expand the use of the LCM system. An update to the NANTeL software 

is expected in 2011. 

Other Items of Mutual Interest Related to Training 

INPO stated that as part of the Uniform Curriculum (UC) effort, core knowledge 

recommendations for the chemistry technician, maintenance technician, health physics 

technician, and non-licensed operator training programs have been incorporated into INPO 

ACAD 08-006, “Uniform Curriculum Guide for Nuclear Power Plant Technician, Maintenance, 

and Nonlicensed Operations Personnel Associate Degree Programs.” Utilities have increased 

the number of partnerships with local colleges and universities, reducing the amount of required 

on-site training. The certificates issued to graduates of an UC program state the individual has 

completed a UC program and does not have to repeat training they have already received. The 

question has been raised as to whether an individual trained by one utility and not hired would 

receive credit for the training by another utility. UC courses are considered “High Honors” 

courses and typically require a grade of 80% or higher to receive credit. 

The representative from American Nuclear Society Standards Committee reported the following: 

ANSI/ANS 3.5-2009, “American National Standard Nuclear Power Plant Simulators for 

Use in Operator Training and Examination,” has been completed. 

The ANSI 3.4 working group (ANSI/ANS-3.4-1996, “Medical Certification and Monitoring 

of Personnel Requiring Operator Licenses for Nuclear Power Plants”) has met several 

times and is scheduled to meet next in July, 2010. 

The ANSI 3.1 working group (ANSI/ANS-3.1-1993, “Selection, Qualification, and Training 

of Personnel for Nuclear Power Plants”) has been delayed in meeting due to retirement 

and transfer of working group members. 

Closing Remarks

In closing, it was decided that additional meetings related to the licensing and examination of 

reactor operators will be held. No final positions were taken during the meeting. 

CONTACT: D. Allsopp, NRR/DIRS/IOLB 

301-415-3073 
F. Brown - 5 -

international use, and to expand the use of the LCM system. An update to the NANTeL software 

is expected in 2011. 

Other Items of Mutual Interest Related to Training 

INPO stated that as part of the Uniform Curriculum (UC) effort, core knowledge 

recommendations for the chemistry technician, maintenance technician, health physics 

technician, and non-licensed operator training programs have been incorporated into INPO 

ACAD 08-006, “Uniform Curriculum Guide for Nuclear Power Plant Technician, Maintenance, 

and Nonlicensed Operations Personnel Associate Degree Programs.” Utilities have increased 

the number of partnerships with local colleges and universities, reducing the amount of required 

on-site training. The certificates issued to graduates of an UC program state the individual has 

completed a UC program and does not have to repeat training they have already received. The 

question has been raised as to whether an individual trained by one utility and not hired would 

receive credit for the training by another utility. UC courses are considered “High Honors” 

courses and typically require a grade of 80% or higher to receive credit. 

The representative from American Nuclear Society Standards Committee reported the following: 

ANSI/ANS 3.5-2009, “American National Standard Nuclear Power Plant Simulators for Use in 

Operator Training and Examination,” has been completed. 

The ANSI 3.4 working group (ANSI/ANS-3.4-1996, “Medical Certification and Monitoring of 

Personnel Requiring Operator Licenses for Nuclear Power Plants”) has met several times and is 

scheduled to meet next in July, 2010. 

The ANSI 3.1 working group (ANSI/ANS-3.1-1993, “Selection, Qualification, and Training of 

Personnel for Nuclear Power Plants”) has been delayed in meeting due to retirement and 

transfer of working group members. 

Closing Remarks

In closing, it was decided that additional meetings related to the licensing and examination of 

reactor operators will be held. No final positions were taken during the meeting. 

CONTACT: D. Allsopp, NRR/DIRS/IOLB 

301-415-3073 

DISTRIBUTION:

PUBLIC J Tappert, NRO 

COLP Reading File M Junge, NRO 

IOLB Reading File M Cheok, NRR 

RidsNroDcip J McHale, NRR 

RidsNroDcipColp M Miller, TTC 

RidsEDOMailCenter S Hansell, RI 

RidsNrrOdResource M Widmann, RII 

RidsNrrDirs H Peterson, RIII 

RidsNrrDirsIolb M Haire, RIV 

R Egli, TTC S Rutledge, TTC 

B Boger, NRR 

ADAMS Accession No: ML1014402610 

OFFICE DCIP/COLP DIRS/IOLB DIRS/IOLB 

NAME RPelton DAllsopp JMcHale 

DATE 6/01/2010 6/01/2010 6/01/2010 

 Official Record Copy
F. Brown - 6 -

ATTENDEES

INPO-NRC Coordination Meeting, May 6, 2010

Institute of Nuclear Power Operations

Phil McCullough, Vice President, Training and Accreditation 

Pete Knoetgen, Director, Accreditation 

George Hutcherson, Director, Industry and External Relations 

Kim Dahlberg, Industry Leadership and Development 

Michael Marler, Future of Learning Initiative 

Elizabeth Brattin, NANTeL 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Bruce Boger, Deputy Director, NRR 

John Tappert, Deputy Director, Division of Construction, Inspection, and Operational Programs, 

NRO 

Fred Brown, Director, Division of Inspection and Regional Support, NRR 

Jack McHale, Chief, Operator Licensing and Training Branch, NRR 

Michael Junge, Chief, Operator Licensing and Human Performance Branch, NRO 

Mark Haire, Chief, Operations Branch, RIV 

Tim Kolb, Operator Licensing and Training Branch, NRR 

John Munro, Operator Licensing and Training Branch, NRR 

David Allsopp, Operator Licensing and Training Branch, NRR 

Richard Pelton, Operator Licensing and Human Performance Branch, NRO 

Mark Lintz, Operator Licensing and Human Performance Branch, NRO 

Other

Dr. Michael W. Platt, PMP 

Staff Systems Engineer 

Human Performance Engineering 

Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support, connected via telephone bridge 

Leonard Kabana, MNES 

Timothy Dennis, ANS Standards Committee 

 ENCLOSURE 1 
AGENDA FOR PUBLIC MEETING 

WITH INPO ON TRAINING AND QUALIFICATION 

Thursday, May 6, 2010 

9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

One White Flint North 

11555 Rockville Pike -- Room O3-B4 

Rockville, MD 20852 

TOPIC 

● Introductions and Opening Remarks 

● Public Input 

● Accreditation Update 

ACAD Revisions 

● New Reactor Update 

Initial Licensing Activities 

● Future of Learning 

● Regulatory Issues 

Regulatory Guide Update 

Eligibility 

● NANTeL Update 

● Training Focus Areas 

● Other Items of Mutual Interest Related to Training 

CONTE 

Leadership & Development Seminars 

Uniform Curriculum 

● Public Questions and Answers 

● Closing Remarks

 

 ENCLOSURE 2