“All of us, although in different areas, have a common goal: the physical security of radioactive materials.”
Narkiss Almonte, Radiation Protection Specialist at the Directorate of Nuclear within the National Energy Commission in the Dominican Republic, discusses the importance of the international nuclear security community and the advantages of certified training. The National Energy Commission is the government agency that regulates the energy industry in the country.
Why is networking between nuclear security professionals important and how does it contribute to wider security goals?
Networking in this area helps us to contact other colleagues and propose ideas to develop or find solutions to our problems, sharing our resources, contacts, knowledge, concerns and limitations with others.
We must remember that all of us, although in different areas, have a common goal: the physical security of radioactive materials. This network contributes to strengthening the pursuit of common objectives through communication and the exchange of information.
What are the benefits of the WINS Academy and becoming certified?
The WINS Academy offers many benefits. The certification programmes offer two streams of certification and access to the WINS Academy Alumni Network. Participating in the programme improved my professional profile, knowledge, promotion possibilities, interaction with other agencies and colleagues in the area, and job recognition, etc.
Participation in workshops, training courses, round tables and webinars increases the participants’ knowledge and skills, as well as encouraging interaction between the participants, allowing them to share their knowledge and experiences. The Knowledge Centre provides an extensive archive of information on nuclear security
“Being a member of the academy makes you part of a community that seeks to work together to strengthen the security of nuclear and other radioactive materials.”
What inspired you to become a WINS Academy Ambassador?
My inspiration to become a WINS Academy Ambassador came primarily from seeing the importance and need for properly trained staff at the regulatory authority.
The WINS Academy offers the chance to enhance the professionalism and competence of everyone involved in the subject through the exchange of valuable knowledge and certification. So I want to motivate all my colleagues, and all those with nuclear safety responsibilities, to consider WINS in order to lead them to become better professionals and demonstrably competent.
What advice do you have for current WINS Academy learners or those considering enrolling?
For current students: They should not stop, they should continue training, continue interacting with the members of the academy, and continue accessing all the resources that the academy offers.
Being a member of the academy makes you part of a community that seeks to work together to strengthen the security of nuclear and other radioactive materials, and to do so, you must better yourself every day.
For those who are considering enrolling in the WINS Academy, please do so. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow professionally, change your security outlook, and develop all of the professional abilities that the academy offers you!
From the Directorate of Nuclear:
How has your organisation benefitted from Narkiss achieving Certified Nuclear Security Professional status?
One of the greatest benefits for the regulatory authority is to have highly competent personnel who are certified by an internationally recognised institution, which generates greater credibility and trust.
Another benefit is that Narkiss has assumed the role of multiplier of the knowledge obtained from WINS.
“Narkiss has assumed the role of multiplier of the knowledge obtained from WINS.”
What role does WINS certification play in your institution’s professional development programme?
It plays a very important role in our institution. We understand that the best way to guarantee security throughout all areas of responsibility is to strengthen competencies and have qualified professionals with the necessary tools to achieve the objective.
WINS Academy certification gives us confidence, competence and credibility; therefore we are looking for strategies to motivate more of our security personnel to become involved.
