- Is there still a shortage of trained laser scanning professionals, given the current economy?
- US federal job re-training funds are restricted to job categories where there are not enough applicants for open positions.
- There really is only on the job training today.
I have been doing some research and thinking about the need for training in the 3D laser scanning industry. On the one hand I hear from various players that one of the key issues holding back growth of the industry is the lack of trained personnel. Given the economic conditions I wonder if this is still the case.
I looked into the possibility of obtaining federal funding for re-training people who are unemployed, but in order to obtain that funding there must be a documented need by firms trying to hire people that they cannot find. The old “catch 22”.
The colleges and universities, especially the 2 year programs cannot afford to purchase the scanners and the software at today’s prices. Surveying is being phased out in many of these programs.
So today it seems that the only way to become trained is to work for someone that has purchased the scanner and software, which means you will be working with a proprietary technology. Of course there is a certain amount of the learning that will be transferrable, but it is not the same as learning principles and fundamentals.
What is your position on the need for training? Your feedback would be appreciated.
