Metrology Rx

On May 29, 2008 NCSL International posted “A call to action for Metrology in the USA” on their MeasurementBlog.   Below is a copy of the email that I sent in to the US Department of Labor in response to that call to action.

To	soc@omb.eop.gov
cc
Subject	2010 SOC

To Whom It May Concern,

“The US Dept. of Labor rejects petition to recognize Metrology job descriptions in its proposed 2010 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) System”

“The three occupations that you proposed, which I believe were Metrologist, calibration technician, and calibration engineer, were not accepted at the workgroup level, and the SOC Policy Committee accepted the workgroup’s decision. This was in part because of concerns that Census and BLS would not be able to collect and report data on those occupations.”

That is one of the most lame excuses I have heard in a long time. It ranks up there with “the dog ate my homework”. Maybe the concern is about finding out how many of us are out there and have never been accounted for by the Census and BLS. What about the thousands of individuals in the military services that perform the same function with PMEL training? Surely the sheer number of these folks alone would generate enough data for any occupation! What about the state and local governments that utilize the same type occupations and develop their own job descriptions relating to calibration and metrology? You do realize that each state is responsible for certifying (i.e., calibrating) weights and scales used for commerce within their borders.

Have you considered that automotive manufacturers around the world require (from themselves and their suppliers) that the measuring and test equipment used to inspect each and every component used in their product must be traceable to NIST (do you know what they do?) and accredited to ISO 17025. Wonder what the job descriptions are for these people? What about the thousands of companies around the country that are accredited to ISO 17025 and the function they perform? They perform these functions every day, all day long! Can you not find these people and report data on them?

How about all the other groups (UL,the FDA,etc) and manufacturers (pharmaceutical, medical, aerospace, etc.) that have the same or similar type requirements? Wonder who they are using and what their job descriptions are? I could go on like this for hours, but I will refrain.

The reason you can not collect and report data on these occupations is because they do not exist in a uniform format. For years we have been classified under Quality or Engineering. You will find us lost among job classes that have nothing to do with calibration and/or metrology, but because there was nothing else available to management and human resources, we were lost in the noise. Search your own database and see if you can find us. This is why we need these occupation descriptions. Without definition no one knows who we are or what we do.

As an aging group, we have taught each other and developed our own systems. There were few, if any, classes we could take to learn our trade. We practiced while we worked and in our practice, established the way things should be done, developed procedures and communicated this knowledge within our own groups. Only when we changed jobs and took this knowledge with us did anyone else benefit from our trials and errors. Without definition how will our knowledge be preserved?

Our educational system uses statistics about occupations to report which fields will experience shortages if young people are not encouraged to enter those areas. Every year you hear about a shortage of this or that type person (engineers, nurses, etc) and how long it will take to fill those gaps if those areas are heavily recruited and incentives offered. Since we have no “occupation” there can be no shortage, right? Wrong. Any company trying to fill such a position today will be lucky if they can find one or two qualified candidates with experience. Most companies do not want to take the time it would require to develop someone, especially since there is no school to send them to or classes for them to take. Without definition there can be no encouragement or incentive to enter an occupation that the government does not recognize and therefore, must not be a real job.

Where would this country be without the people who make our measurements and ensure that those measurements are correct? Can you imagine going to the gas station and paying $4.00 for a gallon of gas but only actually receiving a quart? How about going to the grocery store and buying a 10 pound bag of potatoes but only actually getting five pounds? Going to court and disputing a speeding ticket would be real easy since the radar gun was never calibrated (nor was your speedometer) so who knows how fast you were really driving? Remember the sign on the bridge that shows how high it is? If you were driving an 18 wheeler would you take the chance if the measurements might be wrong?

I guess the point I am trying to make is Calibration Technicians, Calibration Engineers and Metrologists make sure that all of these measurements are real. Please reconsider your decision and make this real for those of us without a defined occupation.

Sincerely,

Ramona Marks

Metrology Group Lead

It is difficult to define what a business should be all about.  Ramona and I have spent countless hours discussing what should make Metrology Rx “tick.”  After peeling away all of the fluff and junk the answer kept coming back to us as PEOPLE.

Customers are people.  People design, develop, and make the products and services which customers buy.  People maintain, set-up, program, start-up, and run the machines.  People make the decisions (both good and bad).  Without people nothing happens and success is impossible.

So we will focus on People and Companies.  Both want to succeed.  Both have related needs and desires (whether they know it or not).  Both depend on each other intimately.

The main focus will always be the people who get the job done.  We are a resource to make YOU successful.  Whether you are an operator who is looking at other career options; a technician who needs some support, guidance or information; a supervisor who wants to understand some topics better; or a new engineer or manager who needs a different perspective you will learn something from us.  Our guarantee is that you will have a renewed confidence in your abilities, learn something new, and have greater job satisfaction.  But more importantly you will discover that you are not alone and there really is someone you can call for help!

Unfortunately with all benefits there are side effects.  Sorry, but it’s a fact of life.  You will see increased productivity; pay raises; job promotions; be a resource that other departments will seek out when making decisions; and help make your company more successful!  OK so these aren’t like some of the side effects that the drug companies have to tell you about (headaches, runny nose, loss of sleep, etc.) but I had to mention them.

To ensure the success of Companies we want to provide the support, information, and recommendations needed to become WORLD CLASS!

This is essential at all times but especially in the current economic climate.  The companies that will rise to the top will be the ones who make the conscious decision to:  retain and develop internal employees; renew customer relationships by meeting all expectations (both defined and “expected”); and utilize, maintain and exploit their current floor space, machines, and facilities.  I am proposing using what you have to the fullest extent, making good economic decisions and being in a position to act when opportunities arise.

As a partner in this journey we will offer: reference resources; links to websites; tips; hints; coaching; documents, forms, spreadsheets, and database  tools; support groups; consulting and other support services; blog entries; various training offerings; webinars; podcasts; and even direct contact to answer your questions.

We look forward to your comments, requests, questions and feedback.  We are here for you so please feel free to contact us!  Welcome to Metrology Rx.