Digital Skills in the Nuclear Era: Preparing Türkiye’s Workforce for Industry 4.0
Türkiye’s nuclear energy ambitions—anchored in the goal of achieving 20 GW of capacity by 2050—are not solely an engineering challenge; they are also a profound test of human capital readiness. As the country builds large-scale nuclear power plants (NPPs) in Akkuyu, Sinop, and Thrace, and moves toward deploying Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), the skills required to operate and safeguard these facilities are evolving rapidly. The nuclear sector is no longer just about mechanical engineering, reactor physics, and regulatory compliance—it is increasingly a digital enterprise.
Industry 4.0 technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, digital twins, predictive maintenance, big data analytics, and advanced simulation platforms are becoming standard in modern nuclear operations. For Türkiye, integrating these tools into workforce training is not optional; it is a strategic necessity to ensure operational excellence, plant safety, and long-term competitiveness in a technology-driven global market.
The Digital Transformation of Nuclear Operations
Around the world, nuclear power plants are adopting advanced digital technologies to boost efficiency, minimize downtime, and strengthen safety. Digital twins—virtual replicas of physical systems—enable operators to model plant behavior, test emergency scenarios, and optimize performance without disrupting live operations. AI-driven monitoring systems can detect anomalies in reactor components long before they become operational issues, while predictive maintenance algorithms, powered by real-time sensor data, are replacing traditional time-based schedules to prevent costly unplanned outages.
For Türkiye, these capabilities must be embedded from the outset in the design and operation of its upcoming nuclear fleet. The workforce will require a skill set that extends well beyond traditional reactor physics and engineering, encompassing expertise in data science, human–machine interface management, and the secure operation of interconnected digital systems.
Within this digital shift, cybersecurity emerges as a core operational competence. The integration of digital control systems, advanced monitoring platforms, and networked supply chain systems exposes nuclear facilities to sophisticated and evolving cyber threats. Defending against these risks demands a specialized cadre of professionals skilled in protecting both operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) infrastructures.
To meet this challenge, Türkiye should embed cybersecurity training directly into nuclear engineering and technical education. Such programs should cover industrial control system security, incident detection and response, and resilience planning, all aligned with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) cybersecurity guidelines
University–Industry–Government Collaboration
Türkiye benefits from a strong academic foundation in nuclear science, anchored by institutions such as Hacettepe University, Istanbul Technical University (ITU), and Sinop University.
Istanbul Technical University has been a cornerstone of nuclear engineering education and research since 1961. Its Nuclear Energy Institute, now integrated into the Energy Institute, offers specialized programs in nuclear engineering and radiation science. The university also operates a 250 kW TRIGA-type research reactor, which serves as both a research platform and an educational tool, giving students hands-on exposure to reactor operations.
Hacettepe University in Ankara offers a comprehensive nuclear engineering program in English at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Since the program’s establishment in 1982, it has produced around 600 nuclear engineers, many of whom are now active contributors to Türkiye’s nuclear projects. Sinop University, which entered the field in 2015, has developed undergraduate and graduate programs designed to prepare students for careers in nuclear technology, with a curriculum that balances theoretical foundations and applied skills.
While these institutions provide a strong base, the accelerating pace of digital transformation in the nuclear sector calls for deeper integration between universities, industry stakeholders, and government agencies. A forward-looking model would see universities offering dual-degree programs that merge nuclear engineering with fields such as computer science, data analytics, or cyber-physical systems engineering. Industry partners—including plant operators and technology vendors—could co-develop specialized course modules and grant students access to proprietary software platforms and digital tools. Government agencies could reinforce these efforts by offering funding incentives, supporting joint R&D projects, and accrediting curricula in line with international nuclear training and safety standards.
Leveraging Research Reactors for Digital Training
Türkiye’s ITU-TRR and TR-2 research reactors already play a pivotal role in providing practical experience in reactor operations. Beyond their current educational and research functions, these facilities have the potential to become advanced testbeds for digital instrumentation and control systems. They could enable students and professionals to experiment with cutting-edge sensor networks, real-time data visualization platforms, and automated control algorithms—within a secure and controlled environment.
The integration of digital twin technology into these research reactors would add a powerful dimension to workforce training. By creating virtual replicas of the ITU-TRR and TR-2, trainees could simulate operational faults, conduct predictive maintenance exercises, and explore control logic adjustments without any risk to the physical systems. This approach would not only deepen technical proficiency but also cultivate the digital problem-solving skills essential for the next generation of nuclear engineers and operators.
Industry 4.0 in SMR Deployment
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are inherently more digitalized than traditional large-scale nuclear plants, featuring compact designs, modular manufacturing processes, and integrated automation. Türkiye has set a target of 5 GW of SMR capacity by 2050, supported by state-led initiatives to develop domestic SMR designs. A major milestone in this effort will be the launch of the “Nuclear Technopark” in March 2025 by President Erdoğan, envisioned as a national innovation hub to drive reactor technology development, strengthen supply chain capabilities, and accelerate workforce training. This initiative also creates space for private-sector participation, offering opportunities for companies with expertise in SMR deployment, co-development, and modular reactor engineering to position themselves as early leaders in this emerging market.
As Türkiye moves toward SMR deployment, the workforce will need advanced competencies in remotely operated systems, digital quality assurance, and automated fault detection. This transition presents an opportunity to implement digital-first workforce training strategies well before the first SMR units are commissioned. Strategic partnerships with global SMR technology providers could include access to high-fidelity simulators, joint research and development programs, and early-stage operational training at vendor-hosted facilities abroad—ensuring that Türkiye’s SMR workforce is fully prepared from day one.
Building a National Nuclear Digital Skills Strategy
The digital skills agenda should not be fragmented across institutions—it requires a coordinated national strategy. This could be anchored in several pillars:
Curriculum Modernization – Embedding digital competencies into all nuclear-related academic and vocational programs.
National Simulation Infrastructure – Establishing a central facility equipped with high-fidelity nuclear plant simulators, VR/AR systems, and cybersecurity labs.
Certification and Standards – Aligning digital skills training with IAEA safety and security guidelines, ISO cybersecurity standards, and vendor-specific requirements.
Public–Private Partnerships – Encouraging technology companies to co-invest in nuclear training platforms, contributing both hardware and software.
International Engagement – Sending trainees to digital training centers in countries with advanced nuclear programs to gain exposure to operational best practices.
Economic and Strategic Payoffs
Investing in digital skills for the nuclear sector will have benefits far beyond plant operations. First, it enhances plant reliability and safety, reducing the risk of costly incidents or shutdowns. Second, it enables Türkiye to position itself as a competitive exporter of nuclear services, from digital plant design consulting to cyber resilience assessments. Third, it creates spillover effects in other high-tech industries, as engineers trained in nuclear digital systems apply their expertise to aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing.
Moreover, in a global nuclear market increasingly shaped by digital capabilities, countries with the strongest digital workforces will have the upper hand in securing international contracts. By becoming an early mover in nuclear digitalization, Türkiye could turn its domestic workforce into a strategic asset with export potential.
The Road Ahead
The nuclear workforce Türkiye is building today will operate plants for decades to come. By 2050, when the 20 GW target is reached, the technology landscape will be dramatically different from today’s—and digital skills will be central to every operational, safety, and strategic decision.
Just as Türkiye has mapped competencies through frameworks like the TÜNAŞ’s Normative Skill Matrix, it now needs a “Digital Competency Matrix” for nuclear roles—defining the precise digital, analytical, and cyber skills required for each position, from control room operators to regulatory inspectors.
This transformation will also be shaped by national and international collaboration. The upcoming third edition of the Türkiye Nuclear Business Platform (TNBP) 2025 will convene policymakers, industry leaders, and investors, serving as the country’s premier nuclear energy forum. Positioned as a central platform for high-level dialogue, it will facilitate strategic partnership-building and identify actionable investment opportunities across Türkiye’s evolving nuclear landscape—helping to align workforce strategies with market needs and technological trends.
By embedding digital proficiency into the DNA of its nuclear workforce strategy, Türkiye will not only secure its own energy future but also position itself as a leader in the global nuclear industry’s next technological chapter. The choice is clear: those who master the fusion of nuclear engineering and digital intelligence will define the future of safe, efficient, and competitive nuclear energy.
