Article

Young professionals in radiation protection: challenges and perspectives – Outcomes of an international survey

¹ Centre d’étude et d’évaluation de la protection dans le domaine nucléaire (CEPN), 96260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
² EDF Energy, Nuclear New Build Generation Company, Bridgewater House, Bristol, BS1 6BX, UK
³ Rolls-Royce, Health Physics Office, NFPP Site, Raynesway, Derby, DE21 7XX, UK
⁴ IRSN, PSE-SANTE/ SMERI/LAMIV, B.P. 17, 78116 Le Vésinet, France
⁵ IRSN, PSE-ENV/SEREN/BERAP, B.P. 17, 92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
⁶ IRSN, PSE-ENV/SIRSE/LTD, B.P. 17, 78116 Le Vésinet, France

^* Corresponding author: sylvain.andresz@cepn.asso.fr

Received: 12 September 2018
Accepted: 5 November 2018

Abstract

The Young Club of the French Society for Radiation Protection (SFRP), supported by the Rising Generations Group of the United Kingdom Society for Radiation Protection (SRP), teamed up to develop a survey targeted at the young professionals in radiation protection. Data about the background and training, current job and position was collected and provides an overview of the demographic of this group of professionals. The survey was also designed as a place where young people can express their views and opinions about initiatives set up by the employer and the national radiation protection society, and area they would like these organisations to develop further. Several key themes emerged from the answers of the respondents: notably, a high wish for more training in radiation protection – under different arrangements, ways to foster and secure future young professionals and a desire and mechanism for encouraging collaboration and networking between young professionals. Besides the statistical data, the messages from the survey will help to assess the effectiveness of initiatives in place, identify new ones and encourage future initiatives to foster and secure the young professionals in radiation protection.