Government is sending 50 trainees from the South African nuclear industry to China to take part in the nuclear power plant operations training, said the Department of Energy (DoE).

In a statement last week, the department said the trainees would be in China for a period of four months as part of the first phase.

Following the conclusion of the recent nuclear vendor parade workshops, and in parallel with work being done in preparation for the commencement of the procurement phase, the first 50 trainees will travel to China to take part in nuclear power plant operations training between April and August 2015.

“These trainees come from the major role players in the nuclear industry that continue to support the government in its ambitions to roll out the nuclear new build programme as per the country policy prescripts,” said the department.

The training will take place at the Shanghai Jiao Tong and Tsinghua Universities.

Trainees will receive lectures in nuclear safety regulatory system, nuclear power plant related subjects such as physical characteristics, nuclear island system equipment, codes and safety oversight, steam power conversion system, material science, conventional island system equipment, thermodynamics and basis of reactor thermal hydraulics and radiation protection, among others.

“This training opportunity marks the first phase of a scope that aims to cover capability and technology in areas of nuclear power plant engineering, procurement, manufacturing, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance and project management.

“The second phase of this training will see South Africa sending 250 trainees to China to be trained at various levels.”

According to the department this first phase is a trial phase.

It will be followed by a much more intensive training programme that will cover on the job training at nuclear power plant construction sites, bachelor’s degrees in all engineering, natural and social sciences, financial and project management programmes as well as post graduate courses and research collaboration between South Africa and the major developed countries.