The 'measurement science' sector in the UK has an annual turnover in excess of £7 billion, growing at 6% per annum. The sector is critical for our chemistry using industries, but does it have a sound basis for further growth? The RSC has identified considerable gaps in skills, training and an image problem that must be addressed.

In its 2005 report on research and technology priorities, the Chemistry Leadership Council Innovation Task Force identified measurement science as an important sector that whilst employing over 100,000 scientists was disparate and uncoordinated.

Measurement science is relevant to most technology based sectors but its markets are not well characterised, with a disconnection between the supply of skills and the demand of technology focused markets. The problem had been identified in 2000, when the DTI set up the industry focused UK Analytical Partnership (UKAP).  The UKAP ended in 2004 with its work left unfinished. 

Taking up the challenge

The challenge has been taken up by the Chemistry Innovation Knowledge Transfer Network (Chemistry Innovation), which was set up a year ago as part of the DTI technology strategy. Measurement Science is now one of its key areas of focus.

A 2006 survey, commissioned by the RSC's Analytical Division, has highlighted four key areas for action, which are; improving skills and training; measurement science in the supply chain; process measurement and control; and knowledge dissemination.

These strategic themes are not new and have been highlighted in previous analytical science initiatives. But there was a feeling amongst the sixty plus interviewees of the survey that there is still much work to do to address these strategic priorities and to ultimately raise the game of the measurement science community.

The creation of Chemistry Innovation, has provided the RSC and other key stakeholders with renewed momentum. An industry-led advisory panel has been formed to steer work in this area.

Skills and training

The RSC will continue to work on the skills and training issue. According to the survey, industry were concerned that careers in measurement science and technology were not perceived as being attractive. This was reinforced at the November 2006 ChemCareers event, an RSC careers fair for students and early career professionals. Exhibiting companies stated that there is a shortage of skilled measurement scientists entering the profession.

There is also widespread concern in industry that the training to produce good analytical scientists is not adequate, both for professional measurement scientists and for university students. Weaknesses in problem solving skills were cited by many in the survey.

The RSC, with others, will look at university course content and will examine training requirements for the skills levels required by industry in the measurement science area. Much of this work will be done as part of the RSC's Chemistry for our Future initiative (a cross-community project to ensure chemical science higher education is strong and sustainable).

A business asset

Another key concern highlighted in the RSC survey was that analytical measurement science is often seen as a business cost rather than an added value. This is by measurement scientists themselves in fact, as well as businesses in general.

This image problem was considered to be one of personal development training for scientists as well as a business culture issue. This will be tackled on two fronts; commercial training for practising analytical scientists in industry and a communications programme to cultivate an understanding of the value of measurement science to managers. 

"analytical measurement science is often seen as a business cost rather than an added value"

The RSC is working with Chemistry Innovation to produce and implement a communications plan for measurement science knowledge transfer. Part of this will involve producing a series of company case studies showing how measurement is adding value to business.

Training in universities

The RSC, through its Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund (ACTF), also plays a crucial training role in UK universities. The ACTF and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council provide £1.5 m funding for three analytical science research chairs (York, Sheffield and Manchester).

These two organisations also award analytical science studentships - 107 so far. In 2006, they funded 16 studentships for 11 university research projects. Whilst these valuable schemes aim to raise the profile of measurement science, more needs to be done by these two organisations in partnership with companies to ensure that the schemes better meet the demands of business. The research topics covered and the skills learnt by the students need to be monitored by industry so that future measurement scientists can be better equipped and empowered with the skills needed for a rewarding career in measurement science.

Plans are already underway to facilitate change. A summer school is being established for those in receipt of analytical science studentships. This will lay the foundations for the skills and qualities necessary for a fully professional analytical scientist.