Metrology personnel shortage is real
(Guest Commentary)
With the US facing a shortfall of technical professionals, concerned individuals and professional metrology organizations are taking steps to increase metrology awareness with an emphasis on education and training.
By Chris Grachanen, Hewlett-Packard -- Test & Measurement World, 3/26/2008 7:09:00 AM
 |
|
Chris Grachanen |
Fortunately, you can learn about metrology and the career opportunities it opens. Concerned individuals and professional metrology organizations such the National Conference of Standards Laboratories International (NCSLI, www.ncslinternational.org) in close partnership with the American Society for Quality Measurement Quality Division (www.asq.org/measure) and the Measurement Science Conference (www.msc-conf.com), are taking steps to increase metrology awareness with an emphasis on metrology education and training. These efforts are under the auspices of NCSLI’s Learning & Development committees. The charters for these committees are as follows:
• Training Resources committee
Ensure that information, resources, and opportunities for metrology learning are of high quality and are widely and readily available and that needs and solution providers are identified when gaps exist. Ensure a high level of awareness of learning resources among the metrology community. Ensure development, implementation, and recognition of real-time (fast-response) metrology learning opportunities. Ensure development of a complete infrastructure to support metrology courses which results in accredited continuing education units (CEUs), and/or college credit, and/or ongoing instructor development and qualification.
• Education and Training Financial Resources committee
Ensure that adequate resources are available to support metrology education, training, and metrology outreach through solicitation and oversight of grants and charitable contributions in the NCSLI Education Development Fund (EDF), the management of scholarships, and the oversight of awarded grants and contracts that are associated with strategically selected metrology education, training, and outreach projects.
• Workplace and Professional Development committee
Ensure that appropriate methods or systems are available in the workplace to provide appropriate recognition, qualification, credibility, and remuneration for the metrology professions. Ensure ongoing professional development in metrology and calibration careers by providing guidance, resources, and best practices to metrology and standards organizations, human resources offices, unions, and professional staff. Ensure that clear career paths are identified, communicated, and tracked as widely as possible and ensure that metrology and calibration careers are adequately recognized in the world-wide marketplace.
• Education Liaison and Outreach committee
Provide multiple forums for educators to interact on topics related to metrology learning and development, to encourage sharing of ideas and resources, and to help ensure that metrology stakeholder educational needs are met. Ensure awareness of metrology, measurement sciences, and needs for calibration and standards in such a way that it is readily recognized by educators, students, related professional organizations, and the general public. Develop and support initiatives and programs enabling world-wide Metrology Learning & Development.
Each of these committees has initiatives and agendas for helping to ensure an adequate supply of educated and trained metrology professionals. To learn more about what you can do to help, please visit NCSLI’s Learning & Development website at www.ncsli.org/training/index.cfm. You need not be a member of NCSLI or one of the aforementioned organizations to get involved.
Chris Grachanen is Master Engineer/Operations Manager at Houston Metrology Group, Hewlett-Packard, Houston, TX, and the recipient of our 2004 Test Engineer of the Year award.
Related Content
Related Content
Sponsored Links
TMW Resource Center
Browse Resources by Type:
- Access to EASE (Equipment Appraisal Search Engine)
DispoDog | Product Demo
VIEW NOW
National Instruments | Reference Guide
VIEW NOW
View More
