MoreThe program will be the first in Ontario to combine what program co-ordinator Lawrie Keillor-Faulkner calls the “four pillars” of geomatics – cartography, geographic information systems, global positioning systems and surveying, and remote sensing.
The college is launching the Geomatics Technician diploma program to meet an anticipated increase in demand for people skilled in the use of geomatics, says Lawrie Keillor-Faulkner.
The demand for GIS graduates will outstrip the supply by two to one for at least the next four years, says the Geomatics Sector Human Resources Study, published in 2001. And Natural Resources Canada describes geomatics as “one of the fastest –growing technology sectors of the 1990’s,” with Canada at its forefront.
Geomatics is the science and technology of gathering, analyzing, interpreting and distributing geographic information. Because geomatics applications are constantly evolving as industries identify new needs and uses for their data, it can be applied to virtually any profession such as urban planning, real estate, engineering, criminal investigations, defense and intelligence, transportation, and environmental and natural resource planning.
Fleming’s new program will appeal to someone who has computer skills and a good grasp of spatial concepts. And they should enjoy mapping. That’s what drew Keillor-Faulkner to the field.
Students and professionals interested in finding out more about learning and professional development opportunities offered through the Geomatics Institute at Fleming, can visit its new web site at www.geomaticsatfleming.ca
At the Geomatics Institute at Fleming, students have access to the latest technology and benefit from Fleming’s excellent relations with industry, government and business. The Geomatics Institute at Fleming is funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Enterprise, Opportunity and Innovation and by the private sector, including in-kind donations.
