Accreditation for Grand Gulf’s operator training program renewed

Listen to this article

Entergy Nuclear announced Friday, July 17, that the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in Port Gibson renewed their accreditation of operator training programs. This means the nuclear plant’s training programs meet or exceed federal regulations, a critically important factor to ensure the safety of Grand Gulf employees and the surrounding communities.  The Institute of Nuclear Power Operations requires accreditation for operator training programs as well as maintenance and technical programs.

Federal law requires the use of a five-step systemic approach for creating and implementing key training programs, known as ADDIE:

• Analysis of jobs and tasks, 
• Design of a training program based on that analysis, 
• Development of the training program once the design is complete, 
• Implementation of the training program to job candidates and incumbents, and 
• Evaluation of the training program to ensure it is meeting its intent. 

“The robust nature of our programs provides employees with the skills, knowledge and proficiency to operate and maintain our plants with excellence,” said Gregg Ludlam, Entergy Nuclear general manager of training, in a statement.

“Those stations achieving accreditation renewal were unanimous in voting by the independent accrediting board. That says a lot for our programs.”

Arkansas Nuclear One in Russellville, Arkansas, is currently under review of its maintenance and technical program, and Waterford 3 Electric Station in Louisiana is also having its operator training program evaluated. 

“Going through these evaluations ensures training is core business, and since accreditation exceeds federal requirements, it drives training excellence,” Ludlam said.