Crown Agents has held a week-long training programme for a group of leading Ukrainian experts involved in enhancing safety and security of radiological sources. The visit was part of a project funded through the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to support design and construction of a centralised store for highly active spent radioactive sources in Ukraine, which Crown Agents has managed since March 2008.
Representatives of the Ukrainian Ministries of Emergencies and Health, State Nuclear Regulatory Committee, leading design organisations and managers of radwaste storage enterprises attended the training programme. After the course delegates spoke positively about their experiences: "the programme was well structured and covered numerous practical issues of project and contract management". They particularly enjoyed case studies and risk management sessions which "helped to get rid of stereotypes".
During the course participants developed skills in international project and risk management and learned about the main principles and practice of international procurement. The delegates also had an opportunity to familiarise themselves with respective technologies and regulatory aspects of radioactive sources management in the UK during a visit to the UK's Atomic Energy Authority's site in Harwell.
The highly intensive week was followed by an international donor coordination meeting hosted by the UK DECC and chaired by the Ukrainian Ministry of Emergencies. It brought together representatives of six donor-countries together with the EU and the International Atomic Energy Agency.