I currently have a procedure for Calibration that states the following.
laboratory personnel will be trained on the following:
1. Trained on measurement Systems Analysis Manual by AIAG
2. 16 hours of classroom training on metrology and /or related subject
3. Trained on ISO 10012-1 and ISO 10012-2.

Currently we can not demonstrate compliance to our own procedure due to death of previous employee and 2 cut back since that death.

Please tell me if the 3 items are actually requirements or have we put the own nails in our coffin per to say?

I have searched TS16949 and Customer Specifics and recognize that ISO 10012-1 and ISO 10012-2 are listed as see for guidance in 7.6
I know that the core tools MSA, SPC, FMEA, APQP are for guidance but must we officially train, with documentation of training, our calibration technician on MSA or SPC according to requirements of TS16949:2002 or Customer Requirements? If not we will rewrite our procedure.

Thanks for your replies in advance

I currently have a procedure for Calibration that states the following.
laboratory personnel will be trained on the following:
1. Trained on measurement Systems Analysis Manual by AIAG
2. 16 hours of classroom training on metrology and /or related subject
3. Trained on ISO 10012-1 and ISO 10012-2.

Currently we can not demonstrate compliance to our own procedure due to death of previous employee and 2 cut back since that death.

Please tell me if the 3 items are actually requirements or have we put the own nails in our coffin per to say?

I have searched TS16949 and Customer Specifics and recognize that ISO 10012-1 and ISO 10012-2 are listed as see for guidance in 7.6
I know that the core tools MSA, SPC, FMEA, APQP are for guidance but must we officially train, with documentation of training, our calibration technician on MSA or SPC according to requirements of TS16949:2002 or Customer Requirements? If not we will rewrite our procedure.

Thanks for your replies in advance

You've discovered one of the dangers of using an incumbent's qualifications to set the documented requirements. It really is a bass-ackwards way of doing things, as you've found out. Someone should be determing what the actual qualifications for a job are, and proceeding from there, which might mean additional training for incumbents. You should also leave yourself an "out" so that people who might not meet all of the qualifications but are able to do the job aren't arbitrarily shut out.

But to answer your question, you can decide for yourself what the requirements are, within reason. If someone has 20 years experience doing calibration but no formal training, you don't necessarily want to eliminate that person. On the other hand, if you have an individual with 16 hours of training but no experience, you probably wouldn't want to have him or her be considered unreservedly qualified. Figure out what makes good sense.

Thanks Jim for replying,

We had nailed our coffin shut ourselves with training listed in procedure and not based on what we had stated the qualification where in our job descriptions for Calibration Technician.

If anyone else has any comments still would like to hear them.

I agree with Jim. There is no requirement in TS16949 that specifies training requirements for calibration people. Your procedure needs to be revised to reflect the real world situation. You can change it to anything you want, just make sure you are doing what you say in the procedure. I do not have any procedures that specify or require our calibration technician have certain training. She does, however, have 10 years experience and a 16 hour MSA course. We can demonstrate competence and lists same on our QC Dept. skill matrix.

Obviously not neccesary but as a customer requirement it must be met, known and implemented within your Quality System.

i.e

R&R, etc.

In m opinion:
It´s very interesting for this person to do this course to assure he has undestood the comcepts therefore your requirement is not bad for me, but obviously this thing must not be mandatory.

I agree with Jim. There is no requirement in TS16949 that specifies training requirements for calibration people. Your procedure needs to be revised to reflect the real world situation. You can change it to anything you want, just make sure you are doing what you say in the procedure. I do not have any procedures that specify or require our calibration technician have certain training. She does, however, have 10 years experience and a 16 hour MSA course. We can demonstrate competence and lists same on our QC Dept. skill matrix.


The requirement and criteria at all levels is for appropriate competence. Training is but one way to get there.

The east way to get out of your "coffin" is to have an accredited cal lab calibrate your equipment.....

Keeping the cal in house - unless you have several hundred of identical or nearly identical items - is more expensive and has many challenges associated with it, such as measurement uncertainty analysis.....having the metrology professionals at an accredited lab take care of your calibration will solve your problem.

Hershal