Office of Apprenticeship,
U.S. Department of Labor
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Geospatial Technology Apprenticeship Program
The Geospatial Technology Industry is an emerging high growth sector of the U.S. economy that is expected to reach more than $21 billion in revenue over the next few years. Geospatial technologies help us understand where we are spatially on the earth, and what impact we have on the earth’s natural and man-made resources. Geospatial technologies include remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and global positioning systems (GPS) technologies.
In July 2003, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) awarded the University of Southern Mississippi $1,565,227 to develop and provide apprenticeship training for new workers in the geospatial industry.
Activities and Outcomes
Grant Activities and Outcomes include the following:
Activities
- Investigate need for training, identify skill gaps, and recommend appropriate interventions.
Outcome
- Geospatial Technology Competency Model (GTCM)
- 2-Year and 4-Year Academic Program Research
- Mapping to K-12 National Standards
- Environmental Scan
- Crosswalk GTCM/Occupational Information Network (O*NET)
- Selection of Pilot Sites
- Occupational Development Profiles
- Establish apprenticeship standards in partnership with DOL & industry stakeholders; and design a geospatial technology apprenticeship program that is (a) research-based, (b) instructionally sound, (c) marketable, (d) sustainable, (e) replicable, and (e) evaluated systematically.
Outcome
- Return-on-Investment (ROI) Evaluation Framework
- Apprenticeship Standards
- Training Objectives
- On-the-Job Training (OJT)
- Related Classroom Instruction
- Training Deliverables & Instructional Strategies by Role
- Design Blueprints & Prototypes
- Ed, Economic Development & Employer Partnerships
- Marketing Plan
- Action Plans for Sustainability
- Action Plans for Replicability
- Develop state-of-the-art training methodologies and materials to engage today’s workforce.
Outcome
- Training Materials
- Full Scale Development & Production
- Guide for Employers
- Code of Conduct
- ROI
- Tests/Assessments
- Quality Control Issues
- Career Paths/Lattices
- Pre-Apprenticeship Activities
- High School Outreach
- One-Stop Outreach
- Military/Veteran Outreach
- Implement most appropriate on-the-job-training and classroom delivery for the Geospatial Technology Apprenticeship Program (GTAP).
Outcome
- OJT Delivery
- Apprenticeship Program
- Train-the-Trainer Programs
- OJT & Related Classroom Instruction
- Classroom Delivery of Training
- Measure ROI of Geospatial Technology Apprenticeship Program
Outcome
- GTAP Impact Study Report
- Level 1 – Reaction
- Level 2 – Learning
- Level 3 – Job Performance
- Level 4 – Organization Impact
- Level 5 – ROI
Areas of Focus
Twelve national application areas have been identified in a strategic geospatial applications structure:
- Carbon Management
- Public Health
- Energy Forecasting
- Aviation Safety
- Water Management
- Homeland Security
- Coastal Management
- Disaster Preparedness
- Agricultural Competitiveness
- Invasive Species
- Community Growth
- Air Quality
The estimated economic benefits shown for individual geospatial applications demonstrate not only the enormous potential for geospatial technologies, but also the sense of urgency felt to prepare technologists that are capable of effectively deploying the full capabilities of geospatial technologies for decision support.
Learn more about the program from University of Southern Mississippi.
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