Abstract:
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In line with South Africa's need to provide internationally acceptable calibration results, the vast majority of calibration laboratories have been accredited by the South Africa National Accreditation System (SANAS). These laboratories were first accredited to a local document published by the National Calibration Service, NCS 2, as far back as 1981. This was long before the emergence of the internationally harmonised document, ISO Guide 25. Soon after the local accreditation process began, it was identified that the personnel in these labs required specific metrology training. The South African experience in this area therefore stretches over more than 25 years and quite justifiably those involved believe that the model that has evolved is "fit for purpose" and meets the requirements of the vast majority of the needs of the laboratories. This paper builds on earlier contributions and will provide the reader with an overview of the South African calibration laboratory market, the needs for metrology education, how the training has evolved, and what present programmes are offered. It will also attempt to give an insight into the success of the current training being provided by the National Laboratory Association's training arm CMeTSA and what direction it may take in the future.
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