The Geomatics Extension program is part of the UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences.
Our mission is to provide surveying education and workforce development programs to both the Florida surveying industry and the general public.
As part of the Cooperative Extension Service, we work statewide to extend the reach of the Geomatics Department; providing resources and education in a non-formal setting (outside the classroom) to the surveying industry and the general public.
With the overall goal of workforce development, we provide educational resources to licensed surveyors and professionals, to surveying technicians already in the industry, to job-seekers who are interested in pursuing a career change into the surveying industry, and to students looking for a rewarding career directly out of high school. A further goal is to increase the visibility of the profession to the general public, which we accomplish by working with county Extension offices, 4-H programs, and other youth education organizations.
Contact us at geo-extension@ifas.ufl.edu.
Locations
Our Geomatics Extension program has four offices located across Florida:
- University of Florida main campus (UF) - Gainesville
- Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) - Apopka
- Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) - Plant City
- Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center (FLREC) - Fort Lauderdale
Workforce Development
The UF Geomatics Extension program has identified a clear need to focus on workforce development for the surveying industry, particularly toward education programs to increase employment opportunities for surveying technicians. A two-pronged approach is being used to fill the gap: upskilling existing technicians and developing a pipeline of new employees.
To upskill existing technicians, the UF Geomatics Extension program is creating training resources and courses aligned with nationally recognized certifications. This includes supporting current employees in preparing for the Certified Survey Technician program, something the industry lacks the capacity to do but is sorely needed. The UF Geomatics Extension program is well positioned to deliver these opportunities for current employees through its statewide extension network and in collaboration with industry partners and employers.
To create a recruitment pipeline for new employees, the program targets three areas with varying levels of urgency: 1) immediate recruitment through Employ Florida's Career Source Centers, 2) mid-range development through Florida Farm Bureau’s Agriculture Education Services & Technology (AEST) program for entry-level employees coming out of high school, and 3) longer-term success through K-12 and 4-H education programs to increase the visibility of surveying as a profession to younger audiences.
Read more about how our team is addressing workforce challenges in the surveying industry.
