The Association for Geographic Information (AGI), has released a new report on the future of skills within the sector. Following a roundtable event, which convened a wide range of stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and professional competency bodies, the recently published report outlines discussions focused on issues such as supply and demand, competition from other sectors and competitive wages.
The meeting was opened by Ian Maxfield, Director of the AGI and Co-Chair of the Education and Skills Network. “The AGI has undertaken a number of research and outreach activities in its remit to ensure that the relevant skills exist in the UK workforce to underpin a thriving GI sector, and the results from our first annual skills survey were published last year. This roundtable discussion was based around these findings and provided participants the opportunity to share their experiences, learn from their peers and shape the future of skills development within the sector.”
The meeting was chaired by Dr Vanessa Lawrence CB, a former chair of the AGI and international business professional with nearly forty years’ experience in the geospatial sector. “This meeting was an invaluable opportunity to receive feedback from some of the most influential organisations operating within the geospatial sector. There was a recognition that continual action is required and, like other professions, we need to attract and retain high calibre candidates at all stages of the career journey which requires training and skills.”
The AGI Skills Roundtable meeting took place alongside the AGI’s annual GeoCom Conference in London and was attended by representatives from organisations such as the Geospatial Commission, Government Geography Profession, Royal Geographical Society (with Chartered Institute of British Geographers), Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors, Royal Institute of Charted Surveyors, University College London, Ordnance Survey, Esri and Leica.
The Association for Geographic Information (AGI) is the UK’s geospatial membership organisation; leading, connecting and developing a community of members who use and benefit from geographic information. An independent and impartial organisation, the AGI works with members and the wider community alongside government policy makers, delivers professional development and provides a lead for best practice across the industry.
The AGI report Skills Roundtable can be downloaded
The results from the AGI’s Skills Survey can also be downloaded