More than GPS and mapreading

German vocational training features new jobs in the geographical information technology sector.

Geographical data provide important information about the planet earth and serve as the basis of strategic plannings regarding development, supplies and emergencies. As part of navigation systems, they support our mobile societies. With the help of modern satellite-controlled methods of survey and data storage, geographical data are recorded, processed and presented.

In order to train experts in this field, training regulations for the jobs of geomatician and surveying technician have been designed on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, which will come into effect on August 1, 2010.

The new tasks have contributed to the modernisation of training concepts in the geographical information technology sector. Trainees have to deal with complex spatial aspects, mathematical and IT applications, graphic design, service orientation and jurisdiction in their sector. The demand for qualified employees in the public service sector as well as in private engineering companies is high.