New regional MBO land surveying course appeals to young people

Few young people are still interested in studying surveying. As a result, the shortage of land surveyors is increasing. A major problem, also for MUG Ingenieursbureau, which decided to tackle the problem itself. It developed a training program with which it manages to enthuse quite a few young people for this versatile outdoor profession.

The only specialized college for land surveying - the SOMA College - is located in Harderwijk and the intake for this four-year MBO course is minimal. Nevertheless, to generate interest in the field and the course, MUG Ingenieursbureau developed a regional MBO3 course. In cooperation with employment and training agency Fervent, it actively sought out young people to interest them in the course. They brought the total formula under the umbrella of Stichting Geo Innovatie. 

The first success

"The training is already a success," says Hans Hainje, head of MUG Ingenieursbureau's GEO department. "The first ten certificates have been awarded. We started with large projects for which we needed assistance. Young people, lateral entrants and Wajong profiles who wanted to be involved in this were given safety training and a surveying course. Of course, not all of them are suited to advance to surveyor, but the advancement is increasing."

Enthusing through practice

Now, MUG Ingenieursbureau had already discovered by chance that it could enthuse young people about the profession through an active approach. "That happened during our participation in GEO Week about two years ago," Hainje explains. "We had developed a workshop for this occasion, in which we enthusiastically promoted surveying. I remember one of the participants saying goodbye with the words 'See you in ten years!' That makes you melt!"

Growing cooperation

In developing the program, the flow to the SOMA in Harderwijk was taken as a starting point. Youth
who have now completed the training of Stichting Geo Innovatie can, depending on their work experience, do the Land Surveying course in an abbreviated form. The idea has also been embraced by the industry associations GeoBusiness Nederland and Geo-Informatie Nederland. Hainje: "Professionals everywhere are pitching in to transfer their enthusiasm for the profession to young people. This has produced beautiful images where the employees of three competing companies stand fraternally next to each other during practical lessons. Surely that is special."

MUG Ingenieursbureau now has an enthusiastic and flexible pool of land surveyors. "A great development for the entire industry that has been struggling with this problem for years. This practical solution fits our way of thinking. And it's great that we can help the entire industry with this!"

More information about the course? www.geo-innovatie.com.