HELP US GET CHILDREN EXCITED ABOUT GEOSPATIAL CAREERS! “I’M ON A MISSION – TO RAISE STANDARDS AND GET YOUNG PEOPLE INTO THE SURVEYING INDUSTRY” Elaine Ball WHAT’S THE PROBLEM WITH RECRUITING SURVEYORS? Over 85% of UK surveyors said they have problems recruiting due to a lack of qualified applicants (RICS, 2015). In fact, “the skills shortage has now overtaken planning and regulation as the second biggest problem facing the industry” (Telegraph 2017). In the USA, POB Magazine reported a shortage of surveyors, full stop! The FIG and the NSPS both launched young surveyors networks to support surveyors aged up to 35 – but there’s a more basic challenge: to generate interest in surveying as a career while kids are still in school! WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ENCOURAGE GEOSPATIAL CAREERS? The UK government announced a Geospatial Technician Apprenticeship in 2018, and a forthcoming Geospatial Mapping and Science Degree Apprenticeship, too. We’re doing what we can – This page is dedicated to how we’re helping build awareness of surveying as a career globally by delivering fun, interactive educational content for Generation Z (born 1996-2010) and Gen Alpha (2011-2025). We’ve also teamed up with the NSPS to launch books, apparel and educational games…. watch this space! You can help – Order your ‘Smart Cities’ posters today; encourage kids into surveying, and share! share! share! using the Hashtag #GetKidsIntoSurvey