Included at venue

At WAO'23, we learned that some labs use structured programs to train their operators, while others provide training through informal teaching and assessment. This session will expand on this topic, providing an opportunity to share what methods and technologies your facility uses to engage operators with their training. Perhaps your lab uses a digital twin or "flight simulator" to provide hands-on experience when machine time is hard to get. Or you’ve created training plans using AI-generated content. What strategies do you use to ensure knowledge and skills are not lost during an extended shutdown? Has using technology improved operator development and knowledge retention?

Accelerators go periodically through upgrades. Some involve dark periods of several months, even years. How is the operations group involved in such an upgrade? how are the skills of the operators maintained during the dark period? And how do the operators learn to operate the new machine? If you've experienced an upgrade, are in the middle of one or are planning one, come and tell us how the operations group is involved.

Included at venue

Breakout rooms

Effective accelerator operation requires strong collaboration between operators and accelerator physicists, especially as today’s tools increasingly rely on complex physics models. Enhancing accelerator performance depends not only on theoretical knowledge but also on practical experience from daily operations. Joint commissioning phases, especially after upgrades or extended shutdowns, offer unique opportunities for operators and physicists to work closely together, developing a shared understanding of the machine's intricacies. This session invites discussions on best practices for involving operations teams in machine physics studies and commissioning activities. By actively engaging in beam setup, performance optimization, and studies, operators contribute directly to performance gains and acquire essential knowledge for continued support. We welcome insights on collaborative frameworks that enhance knowledge transfer, motivation, and streamlined commissioning processes and/or performance enhancements across various facilities. What is your input to the process?

Dinner is provided at Champetre County Bus departs hotel at 18:00 First (early) bus returns at 20:30 Late (final) bus returns at 22:30