Geomatics demanded in work force
Geoffrey Stoute
Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: News
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Louisiana's only geomatics (surveying and mapping) program, located at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, distinguishes the state as one of nearly half of the nation's schools offering such programs for an industry seeking better-trained employees.
Similar programs are now being offered at more colleges and universities in an attempt to help the surveying industry solve its current challenges, said Terry Dantin, head of the Department of Applied Sciences and coordinator of Nicholls' geomatics program. Among these challenges are a decreased workforce, high average ages among surveyors and an increased workload.
Currently, the surveying industry has half the workforce needed. While it loses workers to factors such as retirement and death, the average age among available land surveyors is 54.
In 2000, the Louisiana Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (LAPELS) announced they wanted to establish a four-year surveying and mapping degree at one of the state's universities. Six universities, including Nicholls, submitted proposals for the program. Nicholls was selected and later approved for the program by the Louisiana Board of Regents in the spring of 2003.
Geomatics classes have been offered at Nicholls since the summer of 2003. Currently, 45 students are majoring in geomatics. This past spring, two students became the program's first graduates. Four more are expected to graduate this fall, while six others will earn their degrees in the spring.
While surveyors are now needed to rebuild and relocate levees damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Dantin said the demand for surveyors is not limited to Louisiana. "It's national (and) international," said Dantin, who has regularly received phone calls from employers seeking workers. "There's a tremendous need."
The skills learned in surveying and mapping programs can also be used to make maps and monitor traffic patterns, among other things.
Similar programs are now being offered at more colleges and universities in an attempt to help the surveying industry solve its current challenges, said Terry Dantin, head of the Department of Applied Sciences and coordinator of Nicholls' geomatics program. Among these challenges are a decreased workforce, high average ages among surveyors and an increased workload.
Currently, the surveying industry has half the workforce needed. While it loses workers to factors such as retirement and death, the average age among available land surveyors is 54.
In 2000, the Louisiana Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (LAPELS) announced they wanted to establish a four-year surveying and mapping degree at one of the state's universities. Six universities, including Nicholls, submitted proposals for the program. Nicholls was selected and later approved for the program by the Louisiana Board of Regents in the spring of 2003.
Geomatics classes have been offered at Nicholls since the summer of 2003. Currently, 45 students are majoring in geomatics. This past spring, two students became the program's first graduates. Four more are expected to graduate this fall, while six others will earn their degrees in the spring.
While surveyors are now needed to rebuild and relocate levees damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Dantin said the demand for surveyors is not limited to Louisiana. "It's national (and) international," said Dantin, who has regularly received phone calls from employers seeking workers. "There's a tremendous need."
The skills learned in surveying and mapping programs can also be used to make maps and monitor traffic patterns, among other things.
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