Blinn announces launch of new five-week Land Surveying Program
Surveyors earn median pay of $61,140 and demand is expected to grow 11% between 2016 and 2026
September 5, 2018
The Blinn College District will launch a new program at The Texas A&M University System’s RELLIS Campus this October designed to meet the growing demand for entry-level land surveyors.
Blinn’s new Land Surveying Program will begin Monday, Oct. 1, and in just five weeks, students can complete two courses: Introduction to Surveying and Field Engineering I. Students must enroll in both courses at the same time.
Those who successfully complete the program will earn the Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10-Hour Certification, the Texas Department of Transportation Flagger and Traffic Control Supervisor Certifications, and the National Center for Construction Education and Research Sight Layout Certification.
“This program provides local job-seekers a convenient gateway to a high-demand, high-paying career that meets the needs of Brazos Valley employers,” said Jay Anderson, Dean of Technical and Community Education. “We look forward to helping our students learn the skills they need to enter this rewarding field.”
Students who complete the program will be on the path to becoming a Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, land surveyors earn a median pay of $61,140 per year, or $29.40 per hour. The market expects to hire an additional 5,000 land surveyors between 2016 and 2026, an incredible 11 percent growth in the job market.
Land surveyors mark and document the location of legal property lines and establish official land and water boundaries for deeds, leases, and other legal documents. When taking measurements in the field, surveyors use the Global Positioning System (GPS) to locate reference points with a high degree of precision. Surveyors also use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to present spatial information visually as maps, reports, and charts.
“Blinn’s Land Surveying Program will provide an opportunity to introduce individuals to the land surveying profession while providing employers with much-needed technical help,” said Jon Hodde, RPLS and Consultant for Hodde & Hodde Land Surveying. “These individuals will also have the opportunity to continue their education through a four-year degree and eventually licensure.”
Blinn’s 96-hour, $1,390 Introduction to Surveying course runs Oct. 1-16, and meets from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students receive an overview of the surveying profession and review the mathematics used in surveying. The course includes an introduction to basic surveying equipment with an emphasis on measurements, and provides instruction on surveying procedures and using calculation to determine precision.
The 104-hour, $1,510 Field Engineering I course runs Oct. 17-Nov. 2, and meets from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This portion of the program covers surveying equipment, sketches, proper field note taking, methods of staking, layout of a building site, and establishing horizontal and vertical controls.
This program was made possible with the support of Gessner Engineering, Jones and Carter, Hodde & Hodde Land Surveying, and Kimley-Horn.
To register for the program or to learn more how Blinn’s Land Surveying Program can place students on the fast track to a high-demand career, visit the Post Office Campus at 301 Post Office Street in Bryan or call 979-209-7205.
