Education, education, education
Liam Hartley, Senior Applications Engineer – Key Accounts & Education, KOREC Group, spoke to Danielle Kenneally
PASSIONATE about attracting a new generation of geospatial enthusiasts to the industry, KOREC Group’s Liam Hartley is always keen to share his thoughts on surveying careers with those just starting to think about their future. Drawing on examples such as how 3D data is used in the gaming and film world, how F1 tracks are surveyed with mobile mapping, and how sports events measure distance with total stations, he is determined to show that spatial data is everywhere and in everything we do. He talks to the Civil Engineering Surveyor’s Danielle Kenneally on the importance of upskilling the next generation.
How did you become involved in the geospatial industry and get to where you are today?
I fell into the geospatial industry almost unknowingly, simply because I’d never heard of the term ‘geospatial’ or had any idea of the potential opportunities the industry would bring. I’d always been interested in geography and geology at school and went on to take a degree in geosciences and geology at Keele University which involved the use of GIS and total stations. This was followed by a masters in geoscience research where I used a 3D laser scanner for cliff scanning which really ignited my interest.
When I graduated, I Googled all laser scanning companies and came across KOREC. I decided to visit KOREC at the GeoBusiness exhibition which is a great opportunity for students to learn about the equipment for free and meet potential employers. Having spent the night on a friend’s sofa, I visited the stand, asked for a job and the rest, as they say, is history. I’ve now been in the geospatial industry for around seven years in a number of specialist roles with the most recent focusing on key accounts and education.
You started as a customer technical support and over the years have had a number of experiences besides. What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned?
The surveyor’s toolbox is full of opportunity and no one job is the same. Above all, we are problem solvers and despite being told this often at university, there is simply no substitute for seeing the challenges of field work for yourself.It would be that the surveyor’s toolbox is full of opportunity and no one job is the same. Above all, we are problem solvers and despite being told this often at university, there is simply no substitute for seeing the challenges of field work for yourself.
The locked door, extreme weather, heavy tree canopy, the limited access tunnel – these are everyday obstacles, but the range and reliability of equipment means that there’s a tool for every challenge that could take hours to get around with just traditional methods.
For example, a self-levelling 3D laser scanner means you can set up on a staircase with minimal time, automated monitoring means your Christmas won’t be interrupted and drone surveys can survey vast areas that it would be impossible to cover on foot.
What does your new role as education specialist involve?
I really did fall into the geospatial industry by chance. It is not something we want for the next generation when we have such a strong message to get out. Spreading that message is very much my role, however, I’m certainly not the only person doing this. Everyone can be involved in promoting the industry.
For example, at KOREC, we have our 3D laser scanning specialist visiting junior schools, our construction consultant is an ambassador for Get Kids into Survey, and our regional director works closely with the University of Bradford, as well as other universities supporting showcase events alongside setting up KOREC Connect events with the British Association of Construction Heads (BACH) which is aimed at forging stronger links between education and the construction industry.
Put simply, we are leaders in technology and should be leading the way when it comes to upskilling the next generation.
Our in-house software team has even developed apps for games based on field data capture, and then the members of our training team also work with The Survey School. My job is to join the dots and ensure it is a concerted effort. Put simply, we are leaders in technology and should be leading the way when it comes to upskilling the next generation.
You also went back to your old school to present to the next generation – what was that like?
Exciting and daunting – there are still teachers there that taught me. I’ve always had a passion for education, my mum was a primary school teacher so I felt very much at home. It was also an eye-opener because none of the students were aware of the geospatial industry and what it can offer. While it’s still a great option for those that love maps and the great outdoors, I was really keen to get across the idea that it also offers amazing opportunities for wherever you interests lie.
You might not become a professional footballer or tennis player, but you can work on some of the biggest sports stadiums in the world or have helped fit the roof on to number one court at Wimbledon. If your interests lie with music, there is festival planning and set out; if it’s the environment, then glacier monitoring in the Arctic; if you love cars, you could be part of the team that maps F1 tracks or be laser scanning rally cars at Goodwood.
Geospatial is everywhere and it’s growing which makes it a great career option. Our job is to help kids think outside of the box for a truly fulfilling career.
As an industry, we know that we have a really enticing offering, including virtual reality, 3D laser scanning, robotics, AI, reality data capture and data analytics, all of which offer numerous possibilities fit for the tech-savvy, early adopters of Generation Z. We need to communicate that message.
A lot of emphasis has recently been placed on the lack of skills and available workforce in the engineering industry1, how do you hope to address this and inspire a new generation to join the industry?
Yes, there is definitely a heavy emphasis placed on the lack of skills and workforce in our industry making our job very much one of communication. As an industry, we know that we have a really enticing offering, including virtual reality, 3D laser scanning, robotics, AI, reality data capture and data analytics, all of which offer numerous possibilities fit for the techsavvy, early adopters of Generation Z. We need to communicate that message.
Although exposure to the industry early on is a great strategy and Get Kids into Survey is doing a fantastic job in this area, we also need to concentrate on students from Year 7 onwards.
This is the time where they have established interests, are starting to understand what areas they are strong in and are also looking ahead at GCSE choices and what they might like to do in the future. Again, it’s about joining the dots and communicating our message at key times.
The introduction of the T Level is also a great boost. T Levels are two-year qualifications for 16-19 year olds designed in collaboration with employers. Each T Level is equivalent to three A Levels and offer fantastic potential for introducing a geospatial career.
It’s a huge topic – do you think universities’ investment in the latest industry technology makes a difference?
Universities often provide cutting edge research using the latest technology and this can be extremely stimulating for students, giving them an idea of what the future could hold. They need to have an understanding of the capabilities of different instruments as well as their practical application – basic total station knowledge simply isn’t going to cut it if we wish to move forward.
Universities often provide cutting edge research using the latest technology and this can be extremely stimulating for students, giving them an idea of what the future could hold. We desperately need the minds of a new generation to break free from a ‘that’s how we’ve always done it’ approach and this can be done through knowledge of what equipment is available and how it can be used. The investment in Trimble robotic survey technology by the likes of University of Bradford and Liverpool John Moores with Trimble’s ‘Spot’ the dog are great examples of this. For them it can be seen as a useful marketing tool for attracting students on to courses.
Another example is the Trimble Technology Lab at Edinburgh Napier, a scheme building on a commitment to cultivate a highly trained workforce that will drive future innovation. This lab serves students studying engineering, construction and the sustainable built environment.
What about the development of the industry metaverse too?
The virtual survey world is a real game changer. It’s unreasonable to expect that colleges and universities can buy sufficient cutting-edge survey equipment for every student to get as much hands-on experience as they wish because effective learning takes times. Trimble Virtual World, for example, now allows students to use exactly the same processes they would in the field, virtually. Users can take on the role of a character, interact with their sensors of choice, including the very latest technology and have access to the controller interface.
We need to share our experiences – I’ve never met a surveyor who doesn’t have an exciting story to tell of experience abroad, involvement with a massive sports stadium or working on a landmark engineering project.This makes the time that they do spend with the college’s equipment far more productive. It’s also a great training tool for best practice and workflows.
What else can the industry and educational institutions do to encourage and interest more young people?
We need to share our experiences – I’ve never met a surveyor who doesn’t have an exciting story to tell of experience abroad, involvement with a massive sports stadium or working on a landmark engineering project. We also need to make sure that we’re talking to potential surveyors of the future in a way that will entice and interest them. One example, is a current project which sees us working on a field app for the scouts.
The app helps to draw comparisons between the creation of 3D models and gaming technology for Year 7 and over students.
What do you know now that you wish you had known when starting out in your career?
In all honesty, I don’t think I’d have changed my path at all because I’ve ended up in a rewarding job that I really enjoy. Maybe if I’d known about the sheer volume of opportunities open to me at the beginning of my career, I might have made some different choices, but my role now is to ensure that others are aware of the amazing opportunities ahead of them.
If you could say one thing to a younger you who is considering joining the industry, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self, it’s going to be even better than you thought it would be and no one day will ever be the same.
Liam Hartley, Senior Applications Engineer – Key Accounts & Education, KOREC Group, spoke to Danielle Kenneally
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1 See https://www.ceca.co.uk/ceca-lack-of-skillsworkers-holding-back-uk-infrastructure