PLSO The Oregon Surveyor May/June 2023

10 The Oregon Surveyor | Vol. 46, No. 3 Featured Article There are already models for this in other professions: Teachers who teach in economically challenged areas can have their student loans forgiven. In Nevada, veterinarians who agree to work in rural areas can have their student loans forgiven. • Military Recruiting. Military experience and education can apply towards the experience and education required for licensure. Utilize Military Skillsbridge program or other similar programs to recruit military members finishing their careers. Education of employers is needed to implement this effort. Invite speakers to chapter meetings or annual conferences. • Expand efforts to work with Youth Groups: Boy Scout Surveying Merit Badge, Girl Scouts, 4H, STEM. Current National Initiatives • The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) is looking at potential changes to the NCEES exam (it will be voted on in August 2023). If this goes forward, we assume states will change licensing structure and we think it will be a big step nationally to get more qualified people licensed as Surveyors. https://ncees. org/ncees-seeks-professional- surveyors-and-mapping-scientists- expertise-and-advice/. • Potentially, there are a lot of people who do not get licensed because the current version of the PLS doesn’t really represent the type of surveying work they are doing. So, they get licensed as engineers or pursue certificates instead. • NSPS Boy Scout Committee. Working on rewrite of Surveying Merit Badge requirements to streamline teaching and better align hours to earn the badge with other merit badges offered by the Scouts.  continued  Ronnie Jacko [email protected] | 503-445-2234

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