RD&D-Programme 2004 - SKB

The programme for the remaining development work and for building and operating the
facilities is relatively well defined in terms of content and scope. Financially, there are few
programmes with as good long-term prospects as the nuclear waste programme. The planning
uncertainties that do exist mainly relate to society’s attitudes towards the nuclear waste
programme, with the consequences this may have on decision processes and timetables.
In the time perspective of the permit applications for the facilities in the nuclear waste
programme (2006–2008), SKB is now well equipped and staffed for its mission. This applies to
both key competencies and total manpower needs. There is, however, also a vulnerability in the
form of insufficient redundancy within certain strategically important niches where qualified
personnel are hard to find and/or take a long time to train. An example is system analyses
and safety assessments, but the problem also exists in the geoscience, radiology and nuclear
technology. Responsibility for identifying and eliminating such uncertainties in time rests with
the company’s ongoing strategic human resources planning.
When the permit applications have been submitted, the nuclear fuel programme will enter
into a preparation phase prior to decisions regarding the facilities. It is then important to
maintain continuity of competence, even though some uncertainty may exist with regard to
the duration and outcome of the decision process. SKB’s main tasks during this phase will be
to continue pursuing those activities that are not primarily affected by the decisions, to remain
at the disposal of the decision-makers in different respects, and to make preparations for the
establishment phase of both the encapsulation plant and the deep repository.
Prior to the construction of the encapsulation plant and the deep repository, there is a great need
for qualified, well-trained and well-prepared personnel for management of major construction
projects, procurement and quality control. Building facilities is not in itself anything new for
SKB, and the knowledge and skills gained from the construction of SFR, Clab and the Äspö
HRL will comprise valuable core competencies. However, the deep repository is a much bigger
project than the previous facilities. The construction phase requires competent and qualified
contractors from different parts of the building sector, particularly rock construction. The
ambitious plans that exist today for development of the country’s infrastructure are expected to
contribute to a project volume that is sufficient to ensure continuity within this sector. To what
extent resources will be available when the deep repository is to be built may determined by the
timing of other large rock construction projects.
Long-term development of the sector
The development of key fields such as nuclear technology, radiation protection and geoscience,
as well as the corresponding educational sectors, will in the long term be of great importance
for the prospects of the nuclear waste programme to meet its future competence needs. Many
of the senior positions in these areas (as well as in the entire nuclear power industry) are
currently filled by persons with roots from the time when nuclear power was seen as a highly
attractive and expansive future industry with a strong position in the educational system. Today
this sector is said to be one of the mature industries that are finding it increasingly difficult to
attract members of the younger generation. Active training and research programmes are vital
in ensuring a future supply of qualified personnel.
In the long run, the prospects of meeting future competence needs are highly dependent on
what happens with nuclear power and nuclear engineering in Sweden and the rest of the world.
The present-day situation in Sweden, with an unclear phase-out scenario, makes it difficult to
judge both future competence needs and the prospects of meeting them. So far, however, fears
of a shortage of competencies in the field of nuclear technology have proved unfounded, even
though vigilance is certainly warranted. The radiation protection sector has expressed concern
regarding the future availability of qualified personnel, especially at a stage when the nuclear
power sector will be faced with the task of decommissioning the NPPs and managing the waste.
406 RD&D-Programme 2004