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The start of the new millennium in the UK and the implementation of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 19991 represented a watershed for the Qualified Expert in Radiological Protection (known as the Radiation Protection Adviser in the UK Regulations), and in consequence, the professional level training designed to complement this change. This has required the development of appropriate training offered by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB).

The revision to the UK's Ionising Radiations Regulations1, which took effect from                                  

1st January 2000, for the first time requires prospective Radiation Protection Advisers to demonstrate that they meet a necessary standard of core competence. Within the UK framework, 'competence' is taken to be the ability to draw on knowledge and apply it in the workplace to existing and new situations. Thus, knowledge is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for competence. It also follows that competence cannot be gained solely through course attendance.

About three years ago NRPB embarked on providing the UK's first modular-based training scheme for radiological protection professionals, known as the Radiological Protection Training Scheme (RPTS). Development of the Scheme involved consultation with industry wide representatives from the radiological protection community, which was considered important in order to deliver customer focussed courses. Their regular involvement has been a feature of programme management.

The Scheme is made up of three components which aim to provide the particular needs of practicing radiological protection professionals and managers. These components are: a Core of Knowledge Module, which teaches the essential underpinning knowledge in radiological protection, a Professional Development Module, and Specialist Modules.

Within the Scheme the Core of Knowledge Module is pivotal, and contains the following courses:

Foundation in Radiological Protection UK Legislation and International Recommendations Principles of Protection Against External Radiation Sources Principles of Protection Against Internal Radiation Sources These courses are centred on those seeking initial certification as Radiation Protection Advisers, though attendance is by no means restricted to this group. The collective content of the courses aims to meet the technical aspects of the Basic Syllabus for the Qualified Expert in Radiation Protection specified in a Communication from the Commission2.

Having attained competence, Radiation Protection Advisers will need to take steps to remain competent. This is commonly achieved through a process of 'continuing professional development' (CPD), a process of progressive personal improvement in capability and the development of professional potential. There are many ways in which this can be done. For example, by undertaking activities outside of one's routine job, by attending conferences and seminars, and by attending courses, although the latter would only contribute a small component. Training for CPD is also part of the NRPB Scheme's remit: a short course, held annually and entitled the Radiation Protection Update course, provides an opportunity for those more senior professionals to hear about, and to discuss, the latest developments in radiological protection. Work is also progressing on the provision of a short course to refresh knowledge, linking in to the need for demonstrating continuing competence on a five-year cycle.

Whilst the Core of Knowledge Module is designed to train Qualified Experts called Radiation Protection Advisers, Specialist Modules are intended to provide the underpinning knowledge for other Qualified Experts and specialists in radiation protection. Currently, such training is directed at emergency preparedness and managing radioactive waste, though it is planned to augment the Scheme with a Module on radiation protection instrumentation.*

The Core of Knowledge and Specialist courses are each assessed by means of a short examination paper comprising both multiple-choice questions and written-answer questions which challenge the candidate to solve problems rather than test factual recall. This was instituted to satisfy the needs of employers who required feedback for their own management systems. The success rate has been between 80% and 90%, and although there is no regulatory requirement for candidates to meet the pass criterion, the majority of those who fail to do so re-sit the examination.

These courses generally consist of lectures together with a significant component of syndicate exercise type activities. This not only reinforces the lecture based material by allowing participants to apply what they have learned, but offers participants the opportunity to work with others from differing backgrounds. For many, this aspect is regarded as an extremely valuable part of the course. Despite its advantages, for a number of individuals attendance at courses of several days in duration is not possible. Nonetheless, the radiation protection community has a real need to ensure that all who need training do have access to it. Undoubtedly distance learning and e-learning will have a part to play, and indeed such an approach is about to be launched in the UK by a training provider within the university sector.

In the development of courses and their associated assessments, it is essential to ensure that their standard is both appropriate to the needs of the radiation protection community, and harmonised across all training providers, so far as it is possible given the different teaching strategies.

Furthermore, it is imperative for those in the UK who are required to assess the competence of prospective Radiation Protection Advisers or Qualified Experts, to have a good understanding of the aims and standard of the respective training programmes. To that end it is intended that the assessing and certificating bodies become more formally involved with the examining process of the NRPB Scheme. Future development of training within the UK is likely to be constrained by the fact that all training providers run courses on a commercial basis, for a market that is relatively small and specialised. The new training initiatives described in this article have only been possible as a result of a regulatory influence (i.e. the setting of professional standards), and this is likely to remain the situation for the foreseeable future.

For further information

Ian R Collingwood
National Radiological Protection Board,
NRPB Chilton, Didcot Oxon,
OX11 ORQ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 1235 822 600
fax: +44 1235 822 620
e-mail : ian.collingwood@nrpb.org

 1. The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999, Statutory Instruments 1999 No. 3232.

  2. Communication from the Commission concerning the implementation of Council Directive 96/29/Euratom laying down basic safety standards for the protection of workers and the general public against the dangers of ionising radiation, 98/C 133/03. Official Journal of the European Communities, C133, Vol. 41, 30 April 1998.