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Preparing the Next Generation of Engineers with MicroSurvey

With MicroSurvey CAD and FieldGenius, New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) has modernized its Engineering Technology curriculum, providing students with industry-standard tools and the confidence needed to transition seamlessly from the classroom to the construction site.

Engineers NBCC

Meet New Brunswick Community College (NBCC)

New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) is a technology-driven institution committed to student success and strengthening the provincial workforce. Within its Civil and Building Engineering Technology programs, the college trains future professionals in land development, civil infrastructure, and construction. Under the guidance of instructors like Darren Llewellyn, P.Eng., NBCC focuses on practical, hands-on learning that mirrors real-world industry demands.

NBCC

New Brunswick

nbcc.ca

Engineers in the field

The Challenge: Modernizing Academics for Student Success

The primary hurdle for NBCC was providing students with a consistent, up-to-date software experience that supports a modern field-to-office workflow. In a rapidly evolving industry, academic programs must ensure that the tools students learn on day one are innovative and powerful enough to match the technological advancements they will face in the workforce.

“[It is crucial to be] working with up-to-date industry focused software that supports a field to office workflow for both Civil and Building Engineering Technology students across several programs, courses and competencies. You can’t expect students to use software at high skill level and mastery if the software is not consistent for the duration of their training.”

– Darren Llewellyn, P.Eng., Engineering Technology Instructor, NBCC
Total Station Workers

The Solution: An Adaptive and Reliable Workflow

NBCC solved the challenge of technology integration by implementing a unified MicroSurvey software ecosystem across its curriculum. By pairing multiplatform FieldGenius data collection software with the interoperable, established environment of MicroSurvey CAD, the college created a reliable workflow that truly works for its students.

This powerful combination serves as the foundation for the college’s week-long Survey Camp—a capstone experience that bridges the gap between classroom theory and industry reality. With the steep learning curves of legacy systems eliminated, students can focus entirely on synthesizing their skills across four high-pressure engineering scenarios: Precision Levelling, Total Station Topographic Modelling, RTK Profiling, and Advanced Municipal Layout. This integrated data cycle ensures students master the exact field-to-office transitions required on modern construction sites.

“…MicroSurvey CAD and FieldGenius (Legacy and Android) was the absolute key to the modernization of the current program and future student success.”

– Darren Llewellyn, P.Eng., Engineering Technology Instructor, NBCC
NBCC Student CAD Screenshot

The Workflow: From Concept to Construction

NBCC students master a professional, four-stage process that directly mirrors real-world site operations:
  1. Data Prep: Creating construction objects and exporting stakeout files in MicroSurvey CAD.
  2. Field Capture: Utilizing FieldGenius on modern data collectors to capture on-site measurements.
  3. Stakeout: Executing precise layout and municipal object placement required for construction.
  4. Delivery: Finalizing the RFP and site objectives to meet strict engineering standards.

“Students get to experience a modern data collector, software which has a common CAD interface to reduce learning times, and software workflows that promote the use of technology in modern workflows.”

– Darren Llewellyn, P.Eng., Engineering Technology Instructor, NBCC

Outcomes and Impact

  1. Reduced Learning Curves: The common CAD interface across MicroSurvey products allows students to spend less time learning the software and more time mastering engineering concepts.
  2. Increased Career Confidence: Students report feeling ready to accept jobs in geomatics because they have had fun mastering these skills in a realistic environment.
  3. Industry Alignment: Many graduates specifically seek out employers who use MicroSurvey products, knowing they can hit the ground running on day one.
NBCC FieldGenius Screenshot

The Plumb Bob Award

The success of this software-driven approach is perhaps best illustrated by the “Plumb Bob Award.” This trophy is awarded to the team that delivers the best final RFP, testing their ability to incorporate the entire survey workflow into a comprehensive construction proposal. By making the technical mastery fun and competitive, NBCC fosters a spirit of excellence and camaraderie that lasts long after the camp ends.

“Students often say following survey camp that they would consider taking a job which requires these skills now since they enjoyed their camp experience and had so much fun!”

– Darren Llewellyn, P.Eng., Engineering Technology Instructor, NBCC
NBCC Awarded Student
By centering their curriculum around a consistent, industry-aligned software suite, NBCC has created more than just a training program—they have built a launchpad for the next generation of engineering talent. This commitment to technical mastery ensures that when students leave the “Survey Camp” and enter the professional world, they do so with the confidence of seasoned experts.

We are incredibly grateful to Darren Llewellyn and the students at New Brunswick Community College for opening their doors to us and sharing their experiences. Their ability to blend rigorous technical standards with a high-energy, engaging learning environment is a testament to the future of the geomatics industry.

Ready to modernize your workflow?

Learn more about the tools NBCC uses to train the next generation of experts.

Or, speak with one of our representatives today to find the right solution for your team. Call us at 1-800-668-3312.