Our Organization

Advancing Measurement Science
for America’s Workforce

Metrology Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to measurement science education, workforce development, and standards-grounded professional training across the United States.

40+
Years of
Experience
6+
Industries
Served
501(c)(3)
Nonprofit
Status

After more than four decades working in metrology, laboratory operations, and quality management, Ken Racen saw firsthand how accurate measurement supports nearly every part of modern life. It helps ensure that medical devices are safe, aircraft components perform correctly, manufactured products meet specifications, and scientific results can be trusted.

Yet despite its importance, metrology remains largely invisible. Few students are introduced to measurement science in school, educational programs are limited, and many employers struggle to find qualified metrologists and calibration technicians. As experienced professionals retire, valuable knowledge and practical skills are also at risk of being lost.

“Accurate measurement protects lives, ensures quality, supports commerce, and makes innovation possible.”

Ken founded the Metrology Institute to help address this challenge. His vision was to create a nonprofit organization that would bring educators, industry experts, and accredited institutions together to develop standards-grounded training resources, strengthen technical education, and establish clearer pathways into the profession.

The Institute also reflects Ken’s belief that metrology education should be accessible to people from different communities and backgrounds. Students, working technicians, veterans, and career changers should all have opportunities to discover the field and develop the skills needed for meaningful technical careers.

Metrology Institute was founded in 2022 to preserve knowledge, prepare the next generation, and give measurement science the recognition it deserves as a vital STEM discipline — guided by a simple truth: accurate measurement protects lives, ensures quality, supports commerce, and makes innovation possible.

Our Purpose

Why Metrology Institute Exists

We are guided by the conviction that measurement science deserves the same recognition, resources, and rigor as any major STEM discipline — and that every sector of the American economy depends on getting it right.

01

Build the Measurement Workforce

Develop standards-grounded training resources, strengthen technical education, and establish clear pathways into metrology and calibration careers for students, technicians, and career changers.

02

Advance Education & Standards

Bring educators, industry experts, and accredited institutions together around ISO 17025, NIST GUM, and other recognized standards to ensure training is rigorous, relevant, and portable across industries.

03

Make Metrology Accessible

Break down barriers to entry so that students, veterans, working technicians, and career changers from all backgrounds can discover the field and access training for meaningful technical careers.

04

Preserve Practitioner Knowledge

Capture and transmit the practical expertise held by experienced metrologists before retirement depletes the field’s institutional knowledge — ensuring hard-won insight passes to the next generation.

05

Support Industry & Accreditation

Provide resources that help calibration laboratories, quality departments, and metrology organizations meet A2LA, NVLAP, and ISO 17025 requirements and maintain accreditation-ready competency.

06

Elevate Measurement Science

Give metrology the recognition it deserves as a vital STEM discipline — fundamental to product safety, scientific integrity, commerce, and innovation at every level of the American economy.

Workforce Development

Advancing America’s Metrology Workforce

The metrology workforce is facing a critical shortage. As experienced professionals retire and high-tech industries demand greater precision, the pipeline of trained metrologists and calibration technicians has not kept pace.

Metrology Institute exists to close that gap — connecting students to the profession, equipping working technicians with standards-based skills, and giving educators and employers the resources they need.

40%
Retirement Eligible
Of the current metrology workforce is at or near retirement age
$2B+
Annual Industry Cost
Estimated cost of measurement-related errors and workforce gaps across U.S. industry
6+
Industries Impacted
Aerospace, defense, medical devices, manufacturing, energy, and semiconductor
🎓

College Students

Introducing measurement science to students in engineering technology and AAS programs, with resources and community to support entry into the profession.

🔧

Calibration Technicians

Supporting working technicians with continuing education, standards alignment, and preparation for ASQ CCT and NCSLI professional credentials.

🏭

Industry & Employers

Connecting aerospace, defense, medical device, and manufacturing employers with training resources and a professional community of qualified candidates.

📐

K–12 via MET Universe

Building STEM awareness early through MET Universe, introducing younger students to measurement science before they reach college or the workforce.

Nonprofit Transparency

A Public Trust, Openly Operated

Metrology Institute is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our operations are guided by the public interest — and we are committed to full transparency about who we are, how we are structured, and how we work.

🏛️
IRS 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organization
Federally recognized educational nonprofit — donations are tax-deductible
Legal Name
Metrology Institute
EIN
33-3341631
Organization Type
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
IRS Approval DLN
26053456002635
Donations are tax-deductible. Contributions to Metrology Institute may be deducted as a charitable contribution to the extent permitted by law.
Mission-driven governance. The Institute is governed by a board of directors committed to advancing measurement science education in the public interest.
Mission-driven, not profit-driven. All revenue generated by the Institute is directed toward advancing measurement science education in the public interest.
Questions welcome. Contact us at info@metrologyinstitute.org for information about our organization, programs, or financials.

Support the Mission

Your donation directly funds the development of measurement science education — training materials, curriculum resources, and programs that prepare the next generation of metrologists and calibration technicians.

$25
Supporter — helps fund resources
$100
Contributor — expands curriculum
$500
Champion — sustains a program
$1,000+
Benefactor — drives initiatives
Make a Tax-Deductible Gift →