Washington, D.C., June 5-The U.S. Department of Labor has rejected a petition that would recognize metrology job descriptions in its proposed 2010 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) System. The U.S. Department of Labor’s SOC provides formal recognition of job descriptions which are the basis for its Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) used by educators and counselors to inform students about career opportunities. If the SOC does not include metrology job descriptions, neither will the OOH. The SOC is updated once every 10 years.

Proposed 2010 SOC changes may be found here

Proposed changes to the 2010 SOC have a comment period of May 23 through July 21, 2008. Comments of protest can be sent to the U.S. Deptartment of Labor at soc@omb.eop.gov with the subject line 2010 SOC.

Comments should include the logic and reasoning as to why the SOC should include Metrology job descriptions because this is the focus of SOC administrators when evaluating comments.

Concerned parties may also contact Katherine K. Wallman, chief statistician, Office of Management and Budget, 10201 New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503, telephone number: (202) 395-3093, fax number: (202) 395-7245.