Europe creates nuclear academy, ENELA

MUNICH, GERMANY - The resurgence in Europe's nuclear power industry has prompted six nuclear energy companies to create the European Nuclear Energy Leadership Academy (ENELA).

The academy, which will be based near Munich, Germany, is designed to attract new graduates and professionals already in the nuclear industry to give Europe a boost in nuclear expertise in the coming decade.

The six founding companies are French nuclear power company Areva SA, EnBW, E.ON Kernkraft GmbH, Axpo Holding AG, nuclear fuel company Urenco Limited and Swedish energy company Vattenfall AB. The European nuclear sector is poised to become a much more active market as countries that had banned or were phasing out nuclear power after the Chernobyl disaster in the 1980s now turn to nuclear power to help meet energy demand and reduce carbon emissions.

The academy will be based at Technical University Munich and will provide graduates from various backgrounds with the management and practical skills needed to succeed in the nuclear power sector. The academy will also act as a nuclear energy 'think tank' for academics, business executives and political figures. The move has been welcomed by the European Commission's Energy Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs.

"The nuclear sector faces a serious challenge: it needs to keep and develop knowledge on nuclear at an appropriate level," said Piebalgs. "This is a matter of concern not only to the industry, but also for researchers, regulators and the health sector. ENELA, by focusing on leadership skills, can help to close the gap in existing training programs."

Bernhard Fischer, CEO of E.ON Kernkraft, said, "We must pool our efforts to attract the best people for the European nuclear industry and to train at an international level."

Dr. Walter Hohlefelder, ENELA designated chairman of the Advisory Board commented: "ENELA is already seen by the European Commission as one of the main European institutions in the field of management and education for the nuclear sector in the foreseeable future. We are confident that other companies, organizations and institutions will use the programs offered and support the initiative."

The training programs of the academy will begin in 2011, with one geared at graduates from disciplines ranging from the sciences to engineering and law, and another targeted at those already working in nuclear industries wanting to broaden and improve their management skills.

"This is a very important and unique signal," said Stephan Döhler, executive vice president of Axpo. "The academy addresses the strong need for joining our efforts in attracting and training on an international level the best heads for the European nuclear energy community."