Fundamentals of Surveying
 
Surveying is an exciting, rewarding, and secure profession. There is a great demand for competent engineers and surveyors. This is a great starter course for beginners or a good revision for graduates to upskill and learn to use Total Stations and levelling equipment, as well as practice setting out methods.
 
Graduate training market
 
The market is good; employers seek competent graduates who can easily work using surveying equipment. Search the CV library for site engineers or setting out engineers. Pay rates range from £150 to £350 per day.
You may have achieved your degree years ago, or studied the setting out and surveying unit in the first year of the degree course, and are out of practice using surveying equipment. The training will ensure you can work on site unaided.
 
You could earn about £1000 per week within a few months.
 
Graduates have always had a tough time. We know this because we went through the same process many years ago. We understand the difficulties graduates face in securing employment.
 
Employers pay high rates to agencies and rightly expect value for money. Although recruitment agencies advertise for graduates, they are very reluctant to employ one who graduated a few years ago and cannot use Total Stations and other surveying instruments. It is significantly worse for overseas graduates.
 
Course content
 
Total Stations
· set up the total station over a point
· carry out relevant calibration checks.
· (horizontal and vertical collimation error, trunnion axis, prism constant, optical/ laser plummet, diaphragm orientation)
· list the possible sources of error when using a total station
· list techniques for improving and checking your accuracy and precision
· view, edit, add, and delete data
· install a network of primary control points from scratch (traverse)
· install accurate secondary control points (retro targets)
· create a local coordinate system
· measure and set out reduced levels with the total station
· describe a range of methods for plumbing columns and walls
· set the position and orientation of the total station using the resection
· set the position and orientation by setting up over a known point and referencing another known point
· take a topographical survey and record the results systematically
· measure the horizontal distance and level differences between points
· stake out points of known co-ordinates using the stake out function
· stake out points in relation to a baseline using the reference line function
· import and export data
· discuss the relationship between Total Station and GNSS equipment 
· explain the scenarios when you would choose mechanical and robotic total stations
 
Levelling and taping
Course content:
 
· Record work correctly and to the industry standard
· Incorporate robust checks to all levelling
· List the sources of error in levelling
· Carry out a level survey (existing features or as-built)
· Set elements to a fixed level, i.e. top of concrete levels
· Measure the reduced level of ceilings and soffits
· Transfer Temporary Benchmarks (TBM) to create new Temporary Benchmarks (TBM)
· Check that the level is in correct calibration – two peg test
· Set up profile boards for level excavation
· Set up profile boards for sloping excavation
· Set up batter rails for cut and fill
· Apply the principles of various levelling equipment
· Calculate gradients for the purpose of setting out
· List the sources of error in taping
· Set out right angles and rectangles using a tape measure
· Set out on sloping ground
· Incorporate checks when setting out using a tape measure
 
 
 
Payment options:
Payment in full in advance
Learners are advised to pay at least 2 weeks in advance to receive the course materials for preparation.
 
 
 
For further information, please contact Reza Nobakht on 020 8143 8970
Or, email us at finchleycollege@yahoo.com