Surveying - VET study in surveying

VET study in surveying

Careers for surveying VET graduates

Career versatility is a definite selling point in this field. VET qualifications in surveying or spatial information services equip their holders for work as assistants to land surveyors, survey technicians, GIS/GPS operators, or computer draftsperson, cartographic technician, or geographic information systems officer, among others.

Graduates may work in a range of areas and settings, in land management, civil and structural engineering, for government or mining companies.

Employment prospects within the surveying field are extremely good, with the number of young surveyors entering the workforce predicted to fall short of meeting future demand.

Courses and specialisations

There are limited surveying offerings in the VET sector — mostly diplomas in spatial information services, with specialisations in geographic information systems (GIS), survey drafting, or surveying — but the few programs that are on offer are well worth investigating. A Diploma in Surveying or spatial information services will provide excellent practical and technical training for budding surveying technicians and assistant land surveyors.

Which course is for you?

Considering the reasonably limited range of VET courses available in this field, it will pay to do your research and thoroughly check out the subject offerings and potential career outcomes of any courses you’re considering.

Most VET courses in this field prepare students for careers in GIS and survey drafting. Courses will typically cover general scientific and IT principles, in addition to the varied specialised surveying and spatial information topics through a mix of core and elective subjects.

Getting in

Entry requirements and prerequisites will vary depending on the institution, the specific course and the level of study. Entry to most VET courses in surveying will generally requires successful completion of the High School Certificate (or equivalent), and may call for prerequisite studies in maths and English. Non-Year 12 applicants may be required to have relevant employment or be able to provide evidence of experience or ability to complete the course.

Where to study

VET courses in surveying are available in limited numbers throughout the country, except in the ACT and NT. The largest range of course offerings can be found in New South Wales, followed by South Australia and Victoria.

Your choice of course might depend on the particular course focus and subject offerings. It might also be useful to ask each provider about the career outcomes of past graduates.

What to look for

Technology and facilities are an important aspect of this field of study. You should look for courses that can offer the latest equipment and the best facilities.

Vocational experience is also particularly important in this field. Ideally, VET courses in surveying will provide a strong link between theory and practice and provide students with ample opportunities for practical work.

Pathways

As well as career-focused skills and great employment opportunities, VET qualifications in surveying can be used a stepping stone to university study in the same field.
Graduates of diploma programs in spatial information systems may be able to gain entry to bachelor degree courses in surveying, and may be eligible for recognition of prior learning that may result in exemptions fro one to two years.

It pays to do your research and look into any possible articulation pathways between VET and university study for courses and institutions that interest you.

Case study

For example, students who successfully complete the Advanced Diploma in Spatial Information at RMIT may be eligible to apply for exemptions of one to two years in the Bachelor of Applied Science (Surveying).