- I think the laser scanning industry could benefit from an independent certification program for individuals.
- The GIS industry could provide us with a model program – the GISP.
- The Geographic Information System Certification Institute was 25+ years in the making.
I have been thinking quite a bit lately about training and education in our industry. It is a real challenge for someone who is interested in becoming skilled in 3D laser scanning to obtain the necessary training unless they already work for a firm that has invested in the technology. As I have stated it is a classic “Catch 22″ for our industry in that often firms will cite the lack of trained professionals as a key reason preventing them from growing their business.
Perhaps we could borrow an idea from the GIS industry, namely what they call their GISP – GIS Professional certification program. I noted last week that INOVx has announced their CSP – Certified Service Provider program. This is definitely a step in the right direction. I am sure there is basic information provided that is vendor neutral, but most of the course is presented from the INOVx perspective.
The GISP certification program is administered by the Geographic Information System Certification Institute – GISCI. It includes vendor specific training – it is impossible not to, but it is much more involved. The GISP program did not come about overnight, but what a model it offers the fledgling laser scanning industry. As you can learn from reading the history of the program, the concept had been talked about for 20+ years before a dedicated group of URISA members made it happen.
Let’s hope it doesn’t take that long for our industry to realize the importance of an independant certification program for laser scanning professionals.
Based on my scanning experience, a certification program for LiDAR acquisition should include a few phases: Scanner operation and target/object placement (understanding the range of your scanner and maximum distances to place targets); Post-processing which includes Registration, colorization, and filtering of scan data outlining what each type of filter actually does to the scan data to reduce file size; A course on tolerances within the registration process and interpreting how accurate your registration really is; Understanding scan data file formats and their applications; Applications of scan data in software platforms such as AutoCAD, Microstation, ArcGIS, VRMesh, et al. to include mesh development and modeling from scan data; And a sequence on Real-world applications for laser scanner based on type (Time-of-flight, Phase-shift).