Educational Attainment and ISO 17025

[AlbertPaglinawan]

Hello, I am a new probationary Calibration Engineer in a small company. I was a calibration technician for 7 years in another company and when I went to this company, I became a calibration engineer even though I don't have a degree in engineering (I just had a 3 year technical course).

Our company is planning to be accredited with ISO 17025 by December.

Having said that, my problem is that one of my superiors thought that my lack of degree in Engineering might present a problem in the accreditation. So they voided my contract and is making me sign another one. A calibration technician this time.

My question is, will my educational attainment (or lack of it), present a problem in our accreditation in ISO 17025?

Thank you very much in advance folks!

cheers!

 

[D.Scott]

It shouldn't present a problem.

You are required to demonstrate training and competence of the technical staff of your lab. The amount of education and training required is dependent on the work you are doing. If, for example, your lab was doing high tech work, the expected level of competence may be higher than for less technical work. There is no requirement in 17025 that says you need a degree in engineering. As long as you can demonstrate competence in what you are doing, you should have no problem. My guess would be 7 years in the business, past certifications, licenses and your 3 year course should satisfy the auditor.

Dave