A Detailed Metrology Training Plan Including Competency-Based Credentialing

The Purdue Polytechnic Institute is one of ten colleges on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Also included in the Institute is an outreach effort that includes ten locations spread throughout the state of Indiana to engage local communities and industries and to provide an alternative to the main campus for traditional and non-traditional students in those geographic areas. One of those areas is Columbus, Indiana, about an hour south of Indianapolis, and this paper relates experiences from that location. The Purdue Polytechnic Institute in Columbus, working together with corporate partner Cummins Inc., has developed a metrology training program that includes competency-based credentialing based on hands-on activities rather than a written test. This work includes specific details of the training program with activities required for competency-based credentialing. Many training programs include only a lecture/discussion format that usually include some written examination to demonstrate competency. In this plan, the Purdue Polytechnic Institute in Columbus utilizes metrology tools with targeted measurement artifacts, which may be 3-D printed, to facilitate learning and provide opportunities to demonstrate competency, leading to badges awarded by Purdue Polytechnic Institute for satisfactory performance. Criteria for earning the badges is also presented as well as tiered, layered approach to earning multiple badges. These metrology topics include dimensional metrology, surface finish metrology, and pressure metrology. Dimensional metrology is further layered for specific competencies involving different tools. Ultimately, this plan and effort will culminate in industry-accepted certifications based on earned badges and demonstrated competencies that are recognized throughout the manufacturing and measurement industries.