Last year CoMech ran a training programme for our UKAS accredited calibration laboratories for our existing trainee technicians and for new starters. UKAS has very specific training requirements that are audited on an annual basis; CoMech follows these as well as providing our own secret ingredients to the programme.
What does UKAS need for training?
UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) calibration technicians must undergo rigorous training to ensure they possess the necessary skills and knowledge to perform accurate and reliable calibrations. The specific common elements of training for UKAS calibration technicians should include:
- Technical Training
Technicians should receive comprehensive training on the principles of calibration, including understanding measurement units, calibration procedures, and the operation of various types of calibration equipment and their uncertainties that the accreditation is based upon.
- Equipment Specific Training
Technicians must be trained on the specific equipment they will be calibrating, including understanding its functionality, potential sources of error, and calibration methods required.
- Quality Management Systems
Training on quality management systems such as ISO/IEC 17025 is essential for UKAS calibration technicians to ensure they understand the requirements for competence, impartiality, and consistent performance in calibration activities.
- Practical Experience
Technicians should undergo supervised practical training to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world calibration scenarios. This hands-on experience is crucial for developing proficiency and problem-solving skills.
- Compliance and Accreditation Requirements
Technicians must understand and adhere to the specific requirements of UKAS accreditation, ensuring that their calibration processes meet the highest standards of accuracy, reliability, and traceability.
- Safety Training
Technicians ideally should receive training in safety protocols and procedures to ensure their own safety and the safety of others while performing calibration activities, especially when dealing with hazardous materials or high-risk equipment.
The training provided to develop UKAS calibration technicians must be designed to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and competence necessary to provide reliable calibration services that meet internationally recognised standards.
How successful was our programme?
CoMech ran a comprehensive training programme for our UKAS accredited laboratories to progress trainees into positions of calibration technicians with huge success.
Our Technical Manager, Antony Deakin says “I am really pleased that Ashley, Jamie, Travor, and Josh have all passed their traineeship with flying colours. It just goes to show how important training is but more so how successful training can be when experienced calibration engineers take the time to show trainees how to become the very best.”
The training programme was designed with the heads of lab in each UKAS department instilling their wisdom, experience and knowledge into the new trainees, so they are ready to take the next step to progress their career.
The team on the training programme have learnt the following techniques and processes:
- Understanding Procedures
- Reading standards and how to apply them.
- Reading and understanding specifications
- Correct use of all equipment in their lab
- Understanding UKAS requirements
Hannah, our Technical & Ops Director says “Investing in our people ensures our calibration services are always at peak performance for our clients; the performance of our team is incredible and that’s proven with the quality of work and the turnaround times being achieved. They understand that a thorough calibration helps customers get back to operational faster with minimal downtime.”
Congratulations to our trainees on becoming fully fledged calibration engineers / technicians.
