Geomatics Sector • Human Resources Study

Prepared by: Canadian Council of Land Surveyors Canadian Institute of Geomatics Geomatics Industry Association of Canada Acknowledgements

The completion of this report would not have been possible without the cooperation of the many organizations and individuals who contributed their time to completing survey forms, participating in interviews, and attending meetings to discuss issues within the Canadian geomatics sector. The Steering Committee for the study expresses its appreciation to these individuals and organizations for their input and support.

Special recognition must be given to the Canadian Council of Land Surveyors, the Canadian Institute of Geomatics, and the Geomatics Industry Association of Canada, who initiated this important study and guided its completion. The leadership that they have provided, in recognizing that the geomatics sector faces critical human resources challenges, and in initiating action to address these challenges, is appreciated.

Our thanks are also extended to Human Resources Development Canada for its support of this study. The financial contribution and advice provided by the Department were crucial throughout the duration of the project.

Finally, the study has benefited from the comprehensive research and analysis conducted by Hickling Arthurs Low Corporation, with the support of professional consultants and advisors drawn from the different geomatics specialties and Canada's geographic regions. This team provided a comprehensive information base for the development of strategies and plans to deal with sectoral human resource issues. Executive Summary

Study Objectives and responded and we interviewed over 100 active as producers and users of geospatial Approach information in industry, government, universities and colleges. Workshops were In order that Canada remain a key player in held in five cities across the country the sector, the Canadian Council of Land attended by a cross section of geomatics Surveyors (CCLS), the Canadian Institute of professionals from each region. We believe, Geomatics (CIG), and the Geomatics Industry consequently, that the results are Association of Canada (GIAC), in cooperation representative of the views of the geomatics with Human Resources Development Canada, community in Canada. Together with an initiated this study to address the human analysis of the technology, market and resources issues. Hickling Arthurs Low business changes influencing the sector, the (HAL) Corporation was commissioned to report constitutes a sound basis for effective undertake the study, which is under the overall planning by the Steering Committee on direction of a Steering Committee composed human resources in geomatics. of key stakeholders in the geomatics sector.

The prime objective of the study is to provide Drivers of Change in a cohesive national plan for the development Geomatics of a Canadian geomatics workforce which can make an optimal contribution to the sector's Markets and Technology competitiveness. The study has analyzed the sector in its global setting and determined the The study found that, during the last decade, implications of current and future market and the entire nature and structure of the technology changes for the human resources industry, profession, and constituent in the sector. Five geomatics-related research disciplines have changed to such an extent areas; markets, industry structure, that geomatics is practically un-definable in technologies, education and training, and terms of the practitioner of ten or even five human resources have been addressed. For years ago. The change is so marked that a each of these areas, profiles have been sense of identity within the geomatics sector developed that characterize the current and is lacking. What was once traditional and forecasted Canadian situation. Based on the seen as a continuing industry is now under profiles, a number of conclusions have been pressure from a combination of competition developed on the human resource issues and technological change. How the sector facing the geomatics sector. responds to these pressures will define the pattern of its future growth. Large numbers of people involved in geomatics in Canada were consulted in the The most dramatic technology development course of the study. Our survey went out to of the late 1990's has been the Internet about 4,000 individuals of whom about 900 which is radically changing the means of

GEOMATICS SECTOR • HUMAN RESOURCES STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ii delivery of geomatics products and services. in GIS technology, services, and In the future, we can also expect an ever applications. Positioning is almost increasing use of web technology by the invisible, although it forms the backbone geomatics community, not only for the of these services. collection, manipulation, management and ƒNon-traditional geomatics applications delivery of geospatial data and products, but are emerging in which both positioning for education and training, advertising, and GIS are imbedded and transparent. business development, sales, and commercial GIS permits making geo-information transactions. Penetration of geospatial data is visible and smart services for decision now possible into the home and small making (traditional and non-traditional) business, greatly aided by major software providing easy interpretation / effective vendors like Microsoft who offer geospatial visualization. Self-help, and interactive analysis tools bundled with their office mapping via the Web, are targeting the packages. consumer and small business markets. In addition to the Internet, a number of other ƒMany see the technologies moving technologies have become very important to farther and farther out to less industry in their potential to generate growth. sophisticated users. This would lead to In our survey, these included GIS, user more opportunities for geomatics as applications and solutions, data visualization, geomatics is viewed increasingly as a navigation and positioning, and management tool, leading to more communications and distribution. applications. Like any other industry, Technological change was seen by our this stage in the evolution of geomatics respondents as enlarging their market reach will go through a ramp-up period with but at the same time increasing competition proprietary solutions, and then from firms in other sectors such as consolidation plus open standards and information and communications technologies finally true use. and aerospace. Some of the expected impacts on markets and business activity are: Structure of the Geomatics ƒMore and better data access through the Industry web to allow data mining. This will result in “a total digital environment”, removing Geomatics is a generic term covering a wide the need for hard copy and the associated collection of disciplines. While some firms expense. GPS and GIS will improve and in the sector are involved in a number of be more accessible with a range of new these disciplines, many are narrowly focused tools. New high resolution satellite on a single niche. This, we have found from imagery was cited by a number of users as our interviews, results in somewhat of an something that would have a significant identity crisis within the geomatics industry impact on their operations. in that many of its parts do not consider themselves part of a larger whole. For A major driver is the availability of ƒ example, only about 8% of ‘geomatics’ precise, low cost, real time positioning firms in the Industry Canada Canadian (i.e. GNSS). In fact, some are now Company Capabilities database mention the referring to “l-commerce” (location word geomatics in their descriptions. commerce) as a major subset of e- commerce. Positioning is now imbedded

GEOMATICS SECTOR • HUMAN RESOURCES STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY iii

This sense of identity is further complicated foreign firms, or failure of Canadian firms as by the fact that many geomatics professionals a result of competition from foreign firms. are employed by geomatics users, and not by Obviously the latter outcome is the least the geomatics industry. Also, many of the preferable, but unfortunately may be the ‘new’ geomatics firms consider themselves to most probable. be part of the information technology industry, rather than geomatics. An additional hurdle in Importance of Government: Geomatics is defining and measuring the progress of the a field that has emerged from the industry is that geomatics is not an industry traditionally public sector mandate to map that is recognized in the traditional lexicon of our world, and it continues to be impacted statistical data collection agencies such as by government actions. Depending on the Statistics Canada. A number of issues area, between 30% and 60% of industry associated with the structure of the industry markets are with the public sector. This is have been identified. presumably down from a decade ago as a result of government cutbacks, but is still a Firm Size: The most significant characteristic significant proportion. of the Canadian geomatics industry is the small size of the firms; 75% are smaller than Of the major issues cited by the geomatics 10 people, and 98% are smaller than 100 industry, many were related to government – people. This has a number of important for example, public sector geospatial data implications, for example: pricing and access, and government policies. Also government is the second most ƒSmall firms are likely to be under important partner for the geomatics industry capitalized. Access to capital was (after clients) and the most important R&D identified by the industry as one of the collaborator. most important barriers to market development. Almost no firms have gone Future Structure: There appears to be a public in order to access capital. This lack mis-match between the current structure of of resources is at the root of many of the the Canadian geomatics industry and the other threats faced by the industry. opportunities that are developing. For example, the industry is dominated by ƒSmall firms may have difficulty competing surveying, but that is the area that will effectively in international markets. Most experience the lowest growth in the future. international projects require marketing On the other hand, navigation and resources, significant working capital, and positioning is currently the smallest segment broad expertise; a combination that is out of the industry, but is predicted to have one of reach of most small firms. of the brightest futures. ƒSmall firms may have difficulty adapting effectively to technological change. This speaks to the need for significant Training and research require time and restructuring. One avenue ahead would be resources that most small firms cannot for firms to diversify from their traditional afford. areas into new markets. However, there are concerns that this may be difficult to The likely outcome will be increasing achieve. For example, about 60% of consolidation in the industry. The unanswered surveying firms are not involved in other question will be whether this occurs through geomatics areas. In the case of surveying, mergers of Canadian firms, acquisitions by governing legislation favours small,

GEOMATICS SECTOR • HUMAN RESOURCES STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY iv narrowly focused firms. In other geomatics sub-sector, region, age, gender, salary, and areas, the preponderance of small firms levels of education. It is noted that over restricts opportunities to diversify. 80% of the workforce has a university degree which is a significant change from Human Resources in the last survey in 1991 which showed only about 15% with a degree. Geomatics The following figure depicts the number of Estimates from this study point to a current people working in the geomatics industry by market for Canadian geomatics companies of each geomatics sub-sector. Surveying and just over $2 billion, with an employment base GIS dominate, and GIS is projected by this of about 27,000, 22,000 in the private sector study to almost catch up to surveying by and about 5,000 in the public sector. This 2004. This growth of GIS is mirrored in the number is expected to grow to an income base relatively high availability of training and of $3 billion, employing 32,000 people in the education in GIS, both in the primary and private sector, by 2004. The study presents secondary levels and at the post-secondary the distribution of the geomatics workforce by level.

Geomatics Workforce by Sub-Sector

12000

10000

8000

Public 6000 Private

4000

2000

0 GIS Remote support Sensing Decision Geodesy Surveying Consulting and Cart. Hydrography Map. Photo., Positioning Navigation and

GEOMATICS SECTOR • HUMAN RESOURCES STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY v

Education and Training pool of potential employees. That issue has significant impact on the ability of An inventory of institutions and organizations geomatics to grow its market and to attract providing geomatics education and training in employees. It is in part for this reason that Canada was prepared. To our knowledge this is the dramatic growth in programs in the the first such national inventory on educational primary and secondary levels is so opportunities in geomatics. Course information important. The emergence of geomatics was obtained primarily from web-sites and from education at these levels has significant the catalogues/calendars of universities, implications for human resources in the colleges, and technology institutes. The geomatics industry, both in terms of the inventory indicates that there are over 40 number of people that have a “geospatial universities and 25 colleges and technical awareness”, the potential for early attraction institutions providing geomatics education or to the geomatics industry and the impact on training. Our study found that these institutions the range of geomatics skills that should be have been responding well to the increased need taught at the undergraduate level. for graduates trained in geomatics; most Skill sets that are the foundation of programs have been updated to reflect changes geomatics-related activities were developed in the industry, the market and technology, and through extensive consultation for each of new programs have been instituted as resources five main geomatics areas: surveying, earth permit. observation, GIS, cartography, navigation One of the issues identified in the interviews, and positioning. The list of skills was and our interpretation of the survey results, has further sub-divided into generic skills and been the lack of awareness of geomatics among field skills as shown below. the general population of users and among the

Generic Skills for Geomatics

Generic Skills Business Skills Technical Skills Financial statement analysis Geodesy Contract negotiation Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Proposal, report and science paper writing Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Marketing Computer Aided Drafting systems (CAD) The ability to secure funding Computer hardware and software Leadership and management skills Data visualization and interpretation Team skills Data formats and transfer Presentation skills Project management skills

GEOMATICS SECTOR • HUMAN RESOURCES STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY vi

Field Skills for Geomatics

Surveying Cartography Survey law Specialized equipment viz. stereo plotters, Legal surveys procedures airborne survey cameras, sensors and scanners Traditional survey equipment Computer graphic systems Computerized land information systems Image processing software Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Image interpretation Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Computer Aided Drafting systems (CAD) Computer Aided Design systems (CAD) Computer hardware and software Desktop publishing Construction surveying Computer hardware and software Pre-engineering surveying File management: meta data and file transfer Property rights systems Land planning and management Understanding/interpretation of data Earth Observation (Remote Sensing) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Hyperspectral/ultraspectral/radar /lidar techniques Principles of Geodesy Algorithm development Control survey networks Spectral data exploitation Spatial referencing systems and positioning Specialized equipment Computer Aided drafting systems (CAD) Large volume data mining Engineering surveying Data visualization Coordinate geometry Data format conversion and GIS/RS integration Photogrammetry Field campaign design and implementation Computer hardware and software – external In situ remote sensing validation techniques databases GIS/RS integration Surveying, earth observation and cartography Analytical principles and procedures Database/information structures, algorithms, Electromagnetic spectrum design and systems Image acquisition, processing and interpretation Geospatial data analysis, modeling and display Spatial statistics Navigation and Positioning Electronic navigation systems for positioning, navigating, guiding and controlling air, land, and sea vehicles Custom software to integrate hardware systems User interfaces for navigation and guidance systems Position-related information organized in databases Use of integrated inertial measurement units and GPS Understanding of ellipsoids, datums, map projections Application of navigation and positioning into other geomatics areas Geometrical geodesy

GEOMATICS SECTOR • HUMAN RESOURCES STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY vii

Human Resources Challenges been increasing in both use and recognition around the world. The human resources challenges, as identified in Options: the study, have been grouped under four headings: awareness and public image; The workshops suggested a number of recruitment and retention; education and important steps to be taken in improving the training; and, professional development and image of geomatics and making the field certification. We present below brief more attractive to those making career conclusions and optional courses of action to choices: guide the Steering Committee in developing a strategic and tactical plan for human resources. ƒCreate a “grass roots” awareness of geomatics. Start at the secondary school Awareness and Public Image level to promote geomatics through information sessions in the schools and Conclusions: on the web, creating a presence at career days, and educating career counsellors Geomatics does not have a well-defined ƒ on opportunities in geomatics. public image which is having a negative impact on the ability of the sector to attract ƒDemonstrate the importance of new entrants. Some years ago in an attempt geomatics to today’s society through to encompass the disciplines associated with wide-ranging public awareness the gathering and management of geospatial campaigns sponsored by leaders in data, the term geomatics was coined. This industry and government, highlighting did much to enhance the image of the key applications. Have governments industry in Canada as it neatly packaged the proclaim a GIS day. constituent disciplines of inter alia land ƒFocus on geomatics as a key component surveying, geodetic surveying, remote of many day-to-day business processes – sensing, photogrammetry, cartography and have industry leaders (CEOs) talk about GIS. At that time, a fence was placed the importance of geospatial around what is now called the “traditional information, making use of business industry.” publications like Business Week. ƒThose in the field still find themselves ƒSpend less time defining what educating not only the rest of the world, but “geomatics” is and more time also potential new entrants into the field, as publicizing the wide variety of well as new markets on the meaning of the applications. Demystify “geomatics”. term. Geomatics does not present an image Show that geomatics is part of the new that is understood or very compelling to the 9and better known) information and general public. It would appear now that the communications technologies field. growth of the field has moved beyond the fence erected under the name of geomatics Recruitment and Retention into a far-reaching integration of geospatial information into a wide spectrum of Conclusions: applications involving a plethora of technologies. Another encompassing but ƒThe geomatics sector is currently facing more recognizable term ‘geospatial’ has shortages of people in selected areas eg GIS and, given the projected growth in

GEOMATICS SECTOR • HUMAN RESOURCES STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY viii

the geomatics industry, it appears that the Vancouver which has become a hotbed demand for geomatics professionals over the of Internet software companies. By coming five years will increasingly exceed comparison, geomatics is seen to lack the numbers graduating from Canadian growth opportunities. universities and colleges. ƒGrowth in GIS and decision support ƒGrowth in demand in the US is expected to approaching 20% per year is projected to triple in the next five years which will create lead to shortages of the more specialized a further magnet drawing graduates south individuals involved in advanced (significant numbers of graduates from some modeling. This shortage will be educational institutions eg COGS are compounded by the drain to the US and already taking up employment in the US). to the IT sector. Also, high end GIS staff are projected to move into the higher ƒSome view a hindrance to recruitment to be margin decision support, compounding the lack of obvious career paths in the shortages in GIS. geomatics (defined by some as moving on and not moving up) and growing ƒIt is commonly believed that all competition for software-related skills in applications that are associated with the geomatics people from the information web will grow, as will GPS, business technology sector. geographics, satellite imagery use, programming and modelling, data base ƒGeomatics faculty members have not been management, process re-engineering, moving but this is changing. There is no project and knowledge management, and clear pattern regarding where they move, those areas that add value to the data. To some have moved to the US, others have add value, people will have to started their own companies in a geomatics understand geomatics and or geomatics-related industry. A small the client's number of faculty is now working in the needs. The market will move beyond broader IT industry. spatial database management to data fusion, connectivity, and real-time wide- ƒThe movement of geomatics staff within area distribution. users tends to be within the same organization or to other users ie larger multi- ƒHuman resource implications assessed as national firms or government agencies. low, moderate or high regarding: Government agencies seem to retain their o Security of employment (demand staff more in certain regions of the country for and maturity of technology); than others (e.g. Quebec). In some regions, o Availability of new entrants (supply it has been noted that there is movement of suitably qualified college and back and forth between government and the university graduates); private sector (New Brunswick, Ottawa). o Degree of retention of employees Brain-drain is a serious concern in BC and ƒ (stability of workforce); and the Maritimes. Many new graduates are lost to the US where better and more o Susceptibility to external demand opportunities exist. Also, experienced or competition from other geomatics professionals sometimes change technologies (higher salaries, better field to work in software or Internet benefits) companies. This is especially so in

GEOMATICS SECTOR • HUMAN RESOURCES STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ix

Availability, Retention and Competition Comparison

Disciplines Security Availability Retention External Competition Surveying Cadastral High Moderate High Low Geodetic Low Moderate High Low Earth Observation Satellite High Moderate Moderate High (IT - aerospace) Airborne High Moderate Moderate High (IT - aerospace) Image Analysis High Moderate Moderate High (IT - aerospace) S/W Suppliers High Moderate Moderate High (IT - aerospace) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Systems Dev. High High Moderate High (IT sector) Service High High Moderate High (IT sector) GSDI High High Moderate High (IT sector) Cartography Aerial Photo Moderate Low Moderate Moderate (aviation) Photogrammetry – Systems Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate (IT companies) Photgrammetry- Services Moderate Moderate Moderate Low Cartographic S/W Dev. Moderate Moderate Moderate Low Cartography Services Moderate Moderate Moderate Low Data Conversion Low Moderate Moderate Low Navigation and Positioning GPS Dev. High High Moderate High (IT - telecomm) GPS Services High High Moderate High (IT - telecomm) Kinematic GPS High High Moderate High (IT - telecomm) Vehicle Navigation High High Moderate High (IT - telecomm)

Options: ƒMarket geomatics as an IT service, allowing staff to explore, learn and ƒIndustry needs to reinvent itself to provide implement new services such as wireless better remuneration and career location-based services. Integrate opportunities. The industry needs to geomatics into mainstream IT attract serious entrepreneurs who can organizations (some loss of autonomy but create an attractive vehicle for staff to possibly good for the industry in the long succeed financially. run). ƒRecruitment and retention require ƒOffer non-salary/non-training perks in the improved opportunities for management public sector ie incentives for technology training and continuous education at the upgrades, conferences, research time, firm level, offers to employees of equity paid-deferred leave. ownership, identifying role models in an organization of successful geomatics Education and Training professionals (among users, these may not be readily identifiable). Conclusions ƒEncourage partnerships among ƒA review of the geomatics curricula in the organizations to create broader, more universities and colleges in our inventory, attractive business environment, and in light of the accepted listing of skills, flexible business networks that allow shows that geomatics education and movement of personnel on a project basis. training is predominantly GIS related with

GEOMATICS SECTOR • HUMAN RESOURCES STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY x

over 83% of post-secondary institutions savvy to move their companies to the next providing significant GIS training. Nearly level of size and sophistication. This will all universities offer GIS courses, and not suffice in the future as other countries many allow GIS specializations, in become more technically astute and undergraduate and graduate programs. surpass us in a business sense. Industry Remote sensing, or earth observation has recognized this and has identified courses, are the next most prevalent business and entrepreneurial skills as (75%), with an emphasis on image being very important. interpretation and multispectral analysis. ƒLand administration, mapping, and other Cartographic courses follow (72%), with geomatics applications in developing map interpretation and map countries is projected to be a significant construction/design competencies growth area. There will be a continuing widespread in introductory geography demand for graduates with training in presentations. international development, project ƒThere appear to be more limited course development consulting, technology offerings for surveying. Of these, geodesy, transfer and systems integration. This GPS, and photogrammetry are the most highly competitive market is already widely offered. CAD courses in geomatics populated by aggressive multi-national appear to be rare in the university companies who will be competing for environment with the exception of Quebec these graduates. universities but are offered through colleges and technical institutes. Options:

ƒAcademic institutions have been ƒA more cohesive approach to education responding to the increased need for and training in geomatics through graduates trained in geomatics; most collaboration and linkages among programs have been updated to reflect universities, colleges and high schools will changes in the industry, the market and improve the quality of geomatics technology, and new programs have been education and better prepare students for instituted as resources permit. For careers in geomatics. The fact that example, COGS, Limoilou College, and geomatics tools are being introduced into the graduate programs at Laval the educational system at an earlier age is (Geomatics Sciences Department), bring influencing the entry level of knowledge technically capable people with in geomatics. This needs to be taken into multidisciplinary backgrounds into the account in the design of the overall geomatics workforce through a post- geomatics educational system graduate diploma program. ƒA cohesive approach would also help to ƒThe Canadian geomatics industry has better define the respective roles of historically been very strong universities and colleges in providing technologically. Internationally, Canada’s education and training in geomatics. Joint competitive advantage has been the graduate degrees with universities technical skills of its geomatics focusing on concepts and colleges on tools professionals. However, the result has were seen as a best practice. been a preponderance of small firms started by technologists who do not tend to ƒCo-op programs, internships and work have the entrepreneurial and business terms in industry were recognized as a

GEOMATICS SECTOR • HUMAN RESOURCES STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY xi

valuable and integral part of the Professional Development and educational programs in geomatics Certification provided by universities and colleges. Industry participation in the programs Conclusions: through industry lecturers and reciprocal exchanges with university and college ƒProfessional development is a necessary professors was also seen to be component of human resources advantageous. development in geomatics. The ƒSkill gaps have been identified in the mix uncoordinated approach to professional of skills (specific geomatics technical development within the sector is hindering skills, and broad IT skills) being provided the sector’s ability to develop necessary by universities and colleges, on the one numbers of senior managers and leaders in hand, and those required by industry the field. Closer linkages among the (soft/business skills), on the other. different educational levels and industry Demand for soft skills including skills in are needed for training and life-long management, human resources, team learning. work, languages, cultural sensitivities, ƒProfessional development must not be entrepreneurship, and report writing and based entirely on the need to stay current presentations, is increasing. with technology, indeed there is a ƒThe impact of the Internet on human requirement that relevant business skills be resources skills will be significant. The promoted throughout the industry, as a geomatics worker will, increasingly, have means to grow the sector as a whole. to be fully versed in the workings of a Opportunities for geomatics professionals web-based environment, whether it be for to increase their skills through on-line applications development, data business related courses should be manipulation and sharing or data promoted as part of becoming a high level integration. geomatics professional. ƒCosts associated with some equipment can ƒBecause the profile of the industry is prohibit institutions from teaching leading skewed towards SMEs, professional edge technology. Equipment loans from development often happens 'organically' industry and incentives to encourage the rather than through a planned, strategic loans would be helpful. Negotiating approach. It is difficult for small firms, agreements with technology vendors to which are focused on sales, delivery and make current technology available to all meeting a respectable bottom line, to plan students was also proposed. for extensive out-of-office professional development. Indeed, when individuals ƒUniversities and colleges should research show potential and skills in an area, they how industry is using or wants to use may often find themselves with increased geomatics products or services and then responsibility and time commitments that align training to match on a more timely result in real challenges in terms of time basis. for professional development. ƒThe more successful firms in land surveying are branching into new business areas such as land information and GIS services. There will be demand for

GEOMATICS SECTOR • HUMAN RESOURCES STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY xii

business, marketing, and “broadening” information seminars, but typically do not courses to give the practicing land provide comprehensive accredited surveyor the technical understanding and training. Associations have a role if not in knowledge to move into these new providing the training at least in making business areas. training opportunities known. ƒProfessional associations keep members up to date on issues and provide ƒOn-line or e-learning, both as part of a diplomas in geomatics-related disciplines degree and/or certificate program and as a already carry a type of certification that component of on-going professional gives assurance to employers of a certain development, offers important level of skills. The accreditation of opportunities to the geomatics sector for courses in geomatics was viewed as improving the quality and level of desirable to ensure that quality is geomatics education and training. maintained in the course offerings at these institutions. ƒProfessional development faces a number of barriers. The SME composition of the ƒCertification was also seen as complicated industry has led to a general lack of in- to put in place because of the house formal career development multidisciplinary nature of geomatics and programs. The nature of many projects, in the difficulties of defining the sector’s particular international work, tends to scope. require subcontractors (SMEs) to spend time in the field unable and adds to the Options: difficulty of accessing training courses. ƒEmphasize training opportunities for the ƒOn certification, a distinction was made individual geomatics professional separate between certification of geomatics people from the firm because of the small size of and certification of geomatics products. firms. Offer more flexible hours for The latter was generally considered to training to fit into demanding schedules. provide a worthwhile service to the public. Discussion should continue on how to be The perspectives on the certification of more creative in training provision and people, on the other hand, were mixed. lower the cost. Those in favour believe certification to be an important requirement in establishing ƒThe report of the Advisory Committee for geomatics as a legitimate profession. It Online Learning entitled “The E-Learning was generally accepted that certification E-Volution in Colleges and Universities” may be appropriate for those in geomatics should be reviewed by geomatics faculties positions that require lesser academic to assess how geomatics curricula could be qualifications. Others were of the view integrated into a larger e-learning that certification could create barriers, discussion. restricting opportunities at a time when ƒMore formal mechanisms for providing geomatics is undergoing substantial credits for work experience and creating change and making it difficult for people credit databases would be advantageous to to move into geomatics from other sectors, the geomatics professional in seeking in particular the ICT sector. further training. ƒA number commented that graduates of ƒProfessional associations may not provide universities and colleges with degrees and training although some would like to see

GEOMATICS SECTOR • HUMAN RESOURCES STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY xiii

them do that but can offer objective insights on where the industry is going, identifying the ‘hot” demand areas, and focusing on the “branding” of geomatics. ƒArrange for the sharing of site licenses for online learning between firms, associations, and consortia to make it affordable for SMEs. ƒConferences and trade shows offer important training opportunities. A database of these opportunities could usefully be created by professional associations. ƒCompanies (over ten employees) should commit to a certain level of training (eg 5% of salary/10 days) that employees are entitled to. ƒCourses that are the same throughout Canada (eg legal surveys) lend themselves to being made self-sustaining online. There is an unfilled need in the cadastral part of surveying for distance learning. ƒGiven the proliferation of courses and programs, especially in GIS, some quality control is going to be required. Industry needs some assurance on the quality of courses. Perhaps a voluntary certification would be simplest to put into practice. Strategic and Tactical Plan

The Steering Committee considered this report and produced a strategic and tactical plan for addressing the human resources challenges. The plan recommends the creation of a sector council through Human Resources and Development Canada to oversee the development of human resources in the geomatics sector in Canada. The Committee’s report is published under separate cover.

GEOMATICS SECTOR • HUMAN RESOURCES STUDY