New GIS specialist competencies
Katie Holt, Development Officer, with Matthew Leaver, Global GIS Platform Lead, Arcadis and Director, Association for Geographic Information
THE GIS (geographic information systems) specialist competencies for membership of CICES have recently been updated to reflect changes in the profession. This update was carried out by a group of GIS specialists from both CICES and the Association for Geographic Information (AGI), as part of the ongoing strategic collaboration between the two organisations.
The AGI is the UK’s professional association for the geographic information community, with a focus on building a thriving UK geospatial community to support a sustainable future.
The AGI does this through building professional networks, delivering thought leadership and supporting geospatial skills. This includes championing geographic information best practice and standards.
GIS is a well-established technology and capability that relates to the capture, management, analysis and visualisation of digital geographic information.
GIS software, data and skills are widely used across the design, construction and surveying sectors to support the digital delivery of projects in line with ISO 19650 standards for building information modelling (BIM).
The revised GIS competencies have been overseen by the CICES Sustainability Working Group and are structured to reflect the use of GIS throughout the project lifecycle:
- Geospatial data capture and processing in GIS – focuses on the competencies staff need to understand where geospatial data comes from.
- Data management – relates to the robust organisation of GIS data.
- GIS analysis of data – focuses on the competencies required to extract insights from digital data and apply automation.
- Reporting and visualisation – relates to digital cartography and newer forms of interactive multidimensional visualisation.
- GIS software and platforms – focuses on software expertise for desktop, server, cloud and mobile platforms.
- GIS consultancy and advocacy – brings an emphasis to the soft skills required to advise, innovate, coach and inspire.
Applicants working towards CICES technical member and member grades will need to demonstrate experience within these specialist competencies, as well as completing the general and core geospatial competencies.
Applications
Anybody interested in applying for membership via this new specialism should start by downloading the competencies, checking what they have already covered and identifying areas where they need more experience. They can apply as affiliate or graduate members while they gain the necessary experience.
Katie Holt, Development Officer, with Matthew Leaver, Global GIS Platform Lead, Arcadis and Director, AGI