Survey Technician

Do you enjoy outdoor work and have an aptitude for mathematics? Are you interested in a career in the construction, surveying, or oil and natural gas exploration industries? Or, are you looking for the skills that will make you eligible for the Geomatics Engineering Technology diploma program? This one-year certificate program is your key to opening the door to immediate employment and future education (and career) advancement.

NSCC's Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS) has built a solid reputation for hands-on training and practical learning. Almost half your time in this program is spent doing field work, getting the skills employers are looking for. You are exposed to typical field, office and computational procedures in a wide variety of areas. You get lots of personal attention from our experienced faculty while working with current industry-standard hardware and software.

At the end of this year, you are ready to start work as a survey technician. Potential employers include public sector organizations such as Provincial and Federal Departments of Public Works, and private sector firms specializing in cadastral surveying, construction and engineering surveying.

Some graduates from this program obtain positions as field and technical support staff, while many choose to continue their education by enrolling in our Geomatics Engineering Technology program. Students have found that going on to this second year program enhances their skills and accelerates their career paths. Also, students with a 70% average from the two years at COGS may obtain advanced standing in the Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering Department at University of New Brunswick.

• High School Graduation Diploma or equivalent, including Academic Grade 12 Math.

• Students can choose from possible third-semester electives.

• This program is accredited with the Canadian Technologies Accreditation Board (CTAB). CTAB accreditation means that this program has been evaluated against standards designed by industry leaders across Canada and is recognized internationally.


• Atlantic Provinces Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors (APBELS) gives credit to graduates for some of their examination requirements.


• Co-operative Education (Co-op) – For students continuing on to Geomatics Engineering Technology, this program is eligible for an optional Co-op credit course. Co-op provides an opportunity for paid employment between the first and second year of your program. Employers, as co-educators, provide learning opportunities beyond the bounds of the classroom giving you a well-rounded education enriched by practical application.