The geospatial industry may still be unknown to the general public, but that doesn’t mean this field isn’t rapidly growing. What is the geospatial industry? It’s a field that encompasses global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and the technologies that support the collection, analysis, and interpretation of spatial data. While the industry is growing by leaps and bounds, it remains an understaffed field.
This is where Virginia Tech’s Virginia Geospatial Extension Program is stepping in with an ongoing, multifaceted engagement program to train community college faculty and high school teachers so they can teach these new technologies. One such program partners with the Virginia Community College System to hold two one-week workshops on the Blacksburg campus to provide professional development in geospatial technology. The workshops’ coordinator, Associate Professor John McGee says, “It is critical to the state’s future that we provide a literate geospatial workforce.” Virginia happens to have one of the largest geospatial industries in the nation, making the state’s education system a perfect place to start adding courses.
Geospatial technology contributes to public safety and national security, helps governments to manage infrastructure and natural resources, streamlines business operations, and helps individuals in their daily lives. The impact that Virginia Tech and the Virginia Geospatial Extension Program make on the geospatial industry will be felt nationwide.