THE TRAINING SYSTEM OF SOVIET ATOMIC PROJECT

Abstract

The creation of the specialized, highly productive workforce was one of the achievements of the Soviet atomic project. The paper studies the formation of the national “atomic” personnel training system, from the 1940s and up to the late 1950s. The system was built in line with the key principle of the Soviet atomic project: solution of problems using various alternative approaches simultaneously. The author reviews different types and levels of “atomic” educational programs (general education, high school and university, additional and vocational education). The initial approach was training via the dedicated courses, as well as internship programs at research institutions and production facilities involved in the atomic project. The next step was the creation of the closed chairs, departments and faculties at the universities. Later, the “own” vocational schools, colleges and technical universities were established. Thus, this system embraced practically all workforce categories (from qualified workers to scientists). The particular qualities of the soviet “atomic” personnel training system were the integration with science and industry, students’ involvement in research work (up to workers), the formation of a continuing education environ, insularity of educational process, and the polytechnic character. It had a positive impact on the higher and postgraduate education of natural sciences and engineering. However, the progress of “atomic” education appeared in a limited educational segment.