VIENNA, Austria—21 January 2015 — the World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded ISO 29990:2010 Certification. The purpose of the certification is to improve and standardise the quality of education and training in non-university settings including corporate training, vocational schools and life-long learning programmes. A small number of organisations worldwide have been awarded this certification to date, putting WINS in an elite group of educational leaders.
The award recognises WINS’ efforts to create a high quality professional development training and certification programme in the field of nuclear security. Developed in partnership with Pearson VUE, the world’s leading provider of computer-based testing, the WINS Academy nuclear security management certification programme consists of a required Foundational Module plus an additional elective module that participants can select depending on their areas of interest and expertise. Elective modules are currently available for Senior Administrators and Board Directors, for Executive Managers, and for Scientists, Technicians and Engineers. Additional electives will be released in 2015 for Regulators, Security Managers, Transport Managers, Incident Managers and Responders, Managers of Radioactive Sources, and for Communicating with Civil Society.
The WINS Academy currently has over 350 participants enrolled or applied for the various certification programmes. When participants complete the modules, they sit for an exam. Those who pass are awarded WINS certification. Candidates can sit the certification exams in more than 5100 Pearson VUE accredited test centres in 175 countries. Computer-based testing means that the exams can be taken on-demand, allowing greater flexibility for professionals with accountabilities for nuclear security around the world.
According to Roger Howsley, WINS’ Executive Director, “We are extremely proud that we have received ISO 29990 Certification because it demonstrates that our professional certification programme is in compliance with internationally recognised standards for quality. As the first learning body in the nuclear industry to achieve this designation, we hope it supports the efforts of a large number of States and nuclear operators that have committed to ensuring all personnel with security accountabilities are demonstrably competent.”
Certification is valid for three years, which means that WINS’ programme will be regularly audited in order to achieve re- certification. By creating and continually working to improve its programme, WINS seeks to catalyse demonstrable, sustainable, professional development in the implementation and regulation of nuclear security worldwide.
“ISO29990 benefits the participants in our Professional Certification Programme in a variety of ways,” said Daniel Johnson, WINS Academy Manager. “Because it focuses on the needs of the learner and the results of the learning process, it provides an excellent way to monitor the quality of the learning that takes place. This means that people who participate in our programme can feel confident that a WINS certification demonstrates their credibility, competence and professionalism. It also provides potential employers and others in the industry with an objective measurement of an individual’s security knowledge that is transferrable across international boundaries.”
For more information:
Dan Johnson
+43(0)1230606063
dan.johnson@wins.org
