A few months ago, NIST OWM reached out to state weights and measures directors for their input on OWM’s “informal learning resources.” Through a series of surveys, interviews, and small focus group discussions with several directors, I was able to have specific discussions to determine what the states and regions need to support the technical training and professional development of their inspectors and staff. The purpose of this article is to share some of these findings, formally thank those who provided input, and share work underway to make those resources more accessible and relevant to weights and measures programs.
What is “informal learning?”
The term “informal learning” refers to learning that occurs outside of a formal educational setting such as a classroom. As with many workplaces, this kind of learning is very common in weights and measures programs and is often used by field inspectors who are continually faced with learning how to inspect and test new types of weighing and measuring devices and address new marketplace practices. “Informal learning resources” (ILRs) are any tools such as job aids, checklists, and other information that can help you learn how to accomplish a task, improve your skills, increase your knowledge, or just make it easier to do your job.
NIST OWM produces a limited number of ILRs such as handbooks, test procedures, and guidance documents to assist weights and measures programs and industry in applying NIST standards and test procedures. Increasing the number and type of ILRs and making them more readily accessible has the potential to provide educational resources outside of formal training, facilitate “on-the-job” training, and complement formal training events offered by NIST and others in the legal metrology community. Before beginning work to update our ILRs or create new ones, OWM needed to better u ..
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