It’s well-known that the spatial profession is experiencing a skills shortage. We need thousands more surveyors in Australia every year to meet a growing pipeline of projects and infrastructure. The average age of surveyors is increasing, and the rate of new trainee surveyors isn’t keeping up.
SEAM Spatial understands that we have a responsibility to:
Promote surveying as an exciting and worthwhile career to young people, to build interest in the profession.
Encourage and support those looking to get into surveying to complete their training and become qualified.
Student pipeline program
We actively work with several schools across Queensland to share what a career in surveying could look like for students. The surveyors of tomorrow are often uncovered here.
Each year, SEAM surveyors attend Career Days to share their experiences, explain their roles and demonstrate some of the gear used every day – including laser scanners and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
From school to SEAM TRAINEE SURVEYOR
Huon was one of the students that the Principal of St Catherine’s Catholic College in Proserpine recommended to us at their Career Day. We stayed in touch with Huon and he joined our team as soon as he finished high school in 2023.
Such a short journey into surveying isn’t unique. What stops many young people with incredible potential from joining our profession is that they simply don’t know enough about it. We’re trying to change that!
NextGen program
SEAM isn’t just encouraging the next generation to ‘sign up’, we’re helping them attain their professional status too.
The NextGen program allows SEAM trainee surveyors to earn their qualifications while working full-time and gaining valuable practical experience. Trainees join our team from various backgrounds, including: school leavers, students who’ve decided to switch degrees and workers looking for a career change!
Each trainee has an individualised Development Plan, which is:
Tailored to suit their experience, background and career plans – with quarterly progress reviews.
Designed to combine a practical SEAM Trainee Skills Passport with formal study.
Aligned with the requirements for Surveyor Registration and Endorsement.
If completed, the NextGen program leads to a recognised Surveying Qualification. Aspiring SEAM surveyors enter the program at various points, with the full training path including:
- Certificate III and IV in Surveying and Spatial Information Services
- Associate Diploma of Spatial Science and Technology + SBQ Competency Framework for Associate Surveyor
- Bachelor of Spatial Science and Technology + SBQ Competency Framework for Surveyor
- Registration and Endorsement
Our newest TRAINEE SURVEYORS at seam
Huon joins Michael and Bruno, two graduate surveyors who have also recently begun their NextGen journey. Together, the trio completed their Remote Pilot Licenses (RePL) early in 2024.
Every trainee surveyor in the NextGen program has access to SEAM’s experienced network of Registered and Endorsed Mining Surveyors – including AIMS and BOSSI board members – to help them and share decades of valuable advice.
This includes direct managers, like Lloyd (our Surface Mining Coordinator), who is mentoring Huon and providing him ongoing technical support whenever he needs it.