Increased workloads and need for better performing tools are leading challenges for calibration technicians: survey
October 31, 2022 | By Monica Ferguson
A survey by Fluke Calibration identifies the challenges calibration professionals are facing today, how they are coping with them, and what they think the future challenges will be.
The survey of calibration professionals, the majority of whom conduct more than 750 calibrations annually, revealed that 54 per cent are getting by with fewer resources while their workloads have increased. The majority say they are trying to meet the demand for more complex calibrations with fewer skilled technicians.
While 49 per cent say they will either be retiring in the next five years or changing professions. Most respondents (52 per cent) said better performance was one of the most challenging aspects of calibration work today, followed by the need to calibrate faster (48 per cent) and using outdated equipment (47 per cent).
“The survey’s findings are consistent with what we’ve been hearing from our customers — these are challenging times for calibration professionals,” said Bill Gaviria, product program manager, electrical/RF, Fluke Calibration. “The industry is undergoing a big shift due to increased use of automation and new devices, among other things, and calibration professionals are experiencing dramatically increasing workloads.”
The survey also reveals that many calibration labs and service providers are investing more in training to bridge the skills gap and relying more on automation software to speed calibrations and ensure consistent processes.
