Viet Nam is recruiting skilled professionals in the nuclear power sector as it prepares to start construction of the country's first nuclear power plant in central Ninh Thuan Province at the beginning of next year.

Deputy minister of Science and Technology Le Dinh Tien made the announcement while speaking at a recent three-day industry workshop in Ha Noi.

Viet Nam is recruiting skilled professionals in the nuclear power sector as it prepares to start construction of the country's first nuclear power plant in central Ninh Thuan Province at the beginning of next year.

Deputy minister of Science and Technology Le Dinh Tien made the announcement while speaking at a recent three-day industry workshop in Ha Noi.

Tien urged co-operation and experience sharing from the International Atomic Energy Agency and countries including France, German and the Czech Republic to help the country iron out its comprehensive human resource development plan and road map.

The country first began preparations for the plant's development in 1996, but the project was only approved three years ago.

In 2010, the Government approved VND3 trillion (US$143 million) for a project to develop human resources in the nuclear sector.

Under the project, by 2015 the country will be having upgraded seven educational institutions to provide human resource for the sector, including the University of Science under Ha Noi National University, HCM City University of Science, Ha Noi University of Sciences and Technology, Electric Power University, Da Lat University and the Training Centre under Viet Nam Atomic Energy Institute.

Training programmes, capacity building efforts related to policy making and management for nuclear power projects are targeted to be completed to ensure enrolment of at least 250 students each year.

By 2020, Viet Nam aims to have 2,400 engineers, 350 master's degree holders and doctors with experience of working at nuclear power plants. Other 650 trained engineers and 250 master's degree holders and doctors will promote activities of studying, applying and ensuring nuclear safety.

Roughly 500 managers and staff will also be sent overseas to gain learning experience.

According to the Master Plan for National Power Development, which covers the 2011-20 period with a vision to 2030 and has been approved by the Prime Minister, the first two units in Ninh Thuan will be put into operation in 2020 and are expected to generate 2,000 MW per year.