A Train-the-Trainers Course for Radiation Protection Officers has taken place in Lisbon, Portugal, from 15 -19 June 2015, under the umbrella of regional project RER/9/109, 'Strengthening Education and Training Infrastructure, and Building Competence in Radiation Safety'. This project aims to support Member States in their implementation of a strategy for education and training in radiation, transport and waste safety.

The event, hosted by the Instituto Superior Técnico Campus Tecnologico e Nuclear of Portugal, was attended by 32 participants from 22 Member States in the region. This is the first such training course for IAEA Member States in the European region.

The train-the-trainers approach facilitates the maintenance and expansion of competencies in the region, supporting the implementation of national education and training programmes. The Train-the-Trainers course for Radiation Protection Officers is one of the main competency building tools for establishing sustainable education and training infrastructures, and  enhancing radiation safety conditions. 

The workshop provided participants with training knowledge and skills, enabling them to act as trainers of radiation protection officers in their home countries. The participants were encouraged to make use of their newly-acquired competencies to support the establishment of a core of national trainers in radiation protection, which, in turn, will support the development of sustainable national infrastructures for radiation protection.

Participants were also introduced to the IAEA Cyber Learning Platform for Nuclear Education and Training (CLP4NET), which offers the new trainers a tool to facilitate their future training activities.

Building competence through education and training in radiation safety is fundamental to the establishment of a comprehensive and sustainable national infrastructure for radiation safety, which is itself essential for protecting people from the harmful effects of radiation. The high-level education and training of regulators, future decision makers, as well as key personnel such as qualified expert and radiation protection officers, is especially important for the effectiveness of such an infrastructure.