Surveying technician

• A three-year training programme with an optimal combination of theory and practice
• Inter-company sections in private-sector companies and various internships
• Challenging and varied tasks such as carrying out local surveys and preparing and visualising geodata
• An attractive income
• Working in a committed and open team

• At least secondary school leaving certificate (Mittlere Reife/Realschulabschluss)
• Technical and graphic skills
• Spatial imagination
• Interest in geography and information technology
• Ability to work in a team
• Willingness to learn and perform
• Diligence

Surveying technicians carry out qualified surveying work using various methods, then digitally process the recorded data and use it to create continuation plans, plans and maps.

Training as a surveying technician takes three years and is mainly completed in the department of land and soil management at the City of Bocholt. In the first year of training, the theoretical training is supported by attending the Max Born Vocational College in Recklinghausen once a week together with the geomatics technician (joint qualification). In the further course, in the second and third year of training at the Max-Born-Berufskolleg, surveying technicians are then exclusively taught once a week (specific qualification surveying technician).

The first year of training includes:

• Overview and teaching of basic knowledge of surveying calculations, methods and equipment
• Carrying out position and height surveys using various methods
• Regulations for the production and continuation of continuation plans, plans and maps
• Overview of the various mapping and coordinate systems
• Construction of a graphic data processing system
• Transfer, backup and cleaning of different data
• Checking geodata for topicality, accuracy, completeness and plausibility
• Calculation of position, height, areas and volumes
• Representation of geodata in plans, maps and data models

The second and third years of training include

• Acquisition, processing, management and visualisation of geodata
• Knowledge of setting up and maintaining the real estate cadastre
• Carrying out GPS (Global Positioning System) surveys
• Knowledge of using the satellite positioning service (SAPOS)
• Testing of surveying instruments (total stations, levels)
• Preparation and drafting of continuation plans
• Carrying out different types of surveying calculations
• Preparation of surveying documents and surveying specifications

After completing vocational training, surveying technicians find employment opportunities:

• Public offices of the surveying, cadastre and geoinformation sector,
• publicly appointed surveyors,
• energy and utility companies,
• surveying and engineering offices.

In addition, various further training opportunities are available after completion of the apprenticeship:

• Studies in geodesy, geoinformatics and surveying
• State-certified surveying technician

Field report from Nele