Surveying technician

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

• At least a high school diploma (secondary school leaving certificate)
• Good grades in maths, physics and computer science are a plus

• Technical understanding and graphical skills

• Interest in geography and IT

• Good spatial awareness

• Willingness to learn and perform

• Careful and precise way of working

• Enjoy working outdoors and on the PC

• Initiative and a sense of responsibility

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

Training to become a surveying technician takes three years and is mainly completed in the property and land management department 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 second and third year of training at the Max-Born-Berufskolleg, only the surveying technicians are 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 cracks, plans and maps
• Overview of the various mapping and coordinate systems
• Setting up a graphical data processing system
• Transfer, backup and cleansing of different data
• Checking geodata for up-to-dateness, accuracy, completeness and plausibility
• Calculation of position, height, areas and volumes
• Visualisation of geodata in plans, maps and data models

The second and third years of training cover

• Acquisition, processing, management and visualisation of geodata
• Knowledge of the establishment and continuation of the real estate cadastre
• Carrying out GPS (Global Positioning System) surveys
• Knowledge of the satellite positioning service (SAPOS)
• Testing of surveying instruments (total station, levelling instrument)
• Preparation and development of continuation cracks
• Carrying out various types of surveying calculations
• Preparation of surveying documents and surveying specifications

After completing their vocational training, surveying technicians find employment in the following areas:

• Public surveying, cadastral and geoinformation services,
• publicly appointed surveying engineers,
• Energy and utility companies,
• surveying and engineering offices.

There are also various opportunities for further training after completing the apprenticeship:

• Study geodesy, geoinformatics and surveying
• State-certified surveying technician

Field report from Nele