Canadian Hydrographer Certification Scheme
The Association of Canada Lands Surveyors (ACLS) has developed a certification model for hydrographers and offshore surveyors. The model was officially recognised by the IHO/FIG/ICA International Board of Standards and Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors and Nautical Cartographers (IBSC) in April 2016 and is ready to receive applications. The scheme is designed to promote IBSC-Accredited Category A or B training in Canada, while standardising knowledge and experience requirements for individuals possessing non-accredited hydrographic surveying training and experience.
The ACLS scheme is the second internationally recognised scheme in the world. It has two levels of certification. The first level is for project leaders and managers and the second level is for technologist. Each level has a variety of itineraries towards certification. There are certification paths available in both Levels 1 and 2 for those who have not graduated from IBSC-Accredited Category A or B training. The ACLS Certification scheme is open to both ACLS-commissioned and non-commissioned hydrographic and offshore surveyors in Canada and abroad.
The Centre interdisciplinaire de développement en cartographie des océans (CIDCO) in Rimouski, Québec obtained the IBSC Category B recognition of its Hydrographic Surveying program by the IBSC in 2015 and the Marine Institute in Newfoundland obtained the IBSC Category B recognition in April 2016. The next logical step in the career path for the graduates of those programmes is professional recognition by a national body where ACLS certification would be an ideal choice.
Certification for a hydrographic or offshore surveyor is desirable because it:
- provides a formally recognized and structured career path;
- affirms their level of expertise and competency;
- ensures they are aware of the changing technologies in these sectors;
- provides the certificate holder with an enhanced profile within their industry; and
- prepares them for future global expansion within these sectors.
The ACLS is a national, bilingual, self-regulated, non-governmental professional organisation with jurisdiction over Canada's Offshore Lands. The ACLS promotes and enforces high professional qualifications and standards, professional and ethical standards, and annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.
For information on the scheme, please visit the ACLS Web site, contact the ACLS Registrar Jean-Claude Tétreault or call +1-613-723-9200.
