HCMC – Vietnam will need around 2,400 employees to operate two nuclear power plants in the south-central province of Ninh Thuan, with an average of 1,200 workers per plant, according to a report by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
At a conference on January 2, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized the importance of developing human resources to meet the requirements of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, reported the Vietnam News Agency.
Ly Quoc Hung, director of the Department of Science and Technology at the ministry, highlighted the significant challenges facing Vietnam’s nuclear sector in terms of both the quantity and quality of its workforce.
The workforce is small in number, lacks advanced skills, and operates with outdated facilities and limited training activities. He noted that most of the current personnel are employed at the Ministry of Science and Technology, universities, research institutes, and the state utility Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN).
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommends a workforce of around 600 to 1,200 individuals for a nuclear power plant with two units, each capable of generating approximately 2×1,000 MWe. This includes experts with 5 to 10 years of practical experience, according to Hung.
Vietnam will need around 2,400 personnel to operate its two nuclear power plants, Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2, ensuring smooth technology transfer, maintenance, and safe plant operations.
In addition to the operational staff, the nuclear industry will require around 350 senior experts, including nuclear lawyers, R&D specialists, and other professionals, along with 250 personnel dedicated to research and training activities.
Minister Dien underlined the urgency of preparing a skilled workforce for the nuclear sector. He directed relevant agencies to finalize workforce demand forecasts and draft a training plan for the nuclear power industry by the first quarter of 2025.
“The Ministry of Industry and Trade will take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training to develop a standard training program for the nuclear power workforce,” Minister Dien said.
The minister proposed the Government approve the amended National Power Development Plan VIII as soon as possible, prioritizing nuclear power development. He also proposed specific mechanisms and policies to support workforce training, research and development, and international collaboration.
