Well I think you need understand how a surface plate works and its importance to impact on accuracy in measurement in use.
I know enough to know that I can point you in the right direction and that it is important. As to the skills required to get there, still learning.
So I suggest you watch a few of these videos to help in this regard.
There are many more but these should get you started (and are a good reference for the rest of us as we occasionally we forget).