Survey explores strategic value of standards education.

Press Release Summary:



According to report from Center for Global Standards Analysis, nearly half of experienced standardization practitioners will retire in next 3 to 5 years. Global survey report posits that exclusive reliance upon on-the-job training is no longer sufficient to ensure success of next generation of standardization practitioners. Center recommends that all nations establish combination of comprehensive standards education programs in their private, public, and academic sectors.



Original Press Release:



Global Survey Explores Strategic Value of Standards Education



According to a new report from the Center for Global Standards Analysis (the Center), nearly half of experienced standardization practitioners will retire in the next three to five years. With so many experienced employees set to leave the global workforce, standards and conformity assessment education programs are more critical than ever.
In an effort to evaluate the strategic value of these education programs, the Center surveyed corporations, standards development organizations, government departments, agencies, universities, and firms worldwide. Participants were asked to examine the relationship between globalization, international standardization, and global standards education programs, and include their comments and insights on the value of these programs.

The survey report, published in August 2008, posits that exclusive reliance upon on-the-job training is no longer sufficient to ensure the success of the next generation of standardization practitioners. In concert with the findings of the February 2008 Global Perspectives and Strategies for Education about Standardization workshop [see related article], the Center recommends that all nations establish a combination of comprehensive standards education programs in their private, public, and academic sectors.

"The private, public, and academic sectors must work together to develop education programs that address the significance and fundamental importance of standards and conformity assessment," said S. Joe Bhatia, president and CEO of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). "ANSI and its Committee on Education are committed to progressing Goal 10 of the United States Standards Strategy (USSS). We will make standards education a priority for leaders of government and industry, and for the next generation workforce."

Questions or comments on the survey report may be submitted to Donald E. Purcell, Chair of the Center for Global Standards Analysis (donpurcell@strategicstandards.com or purcelld@cua.edu).

The report, as well as a database of standards-related training resources from ANSI's accredited standards developers, is available online at www.StandardsLearn.org. All of the courses and educational resources are free and provided by ANSI as a public service.

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