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functions that are availiable in the mapping profession. That 
individual would also have the ability to move over to other 
departments when they become very busy. 
Secondly, on-the-job training requires additional retraining when 
an individual moves from one job function to another. This becomes a 
very costly endeavor since for each person in the training program, an 
additional person is required to perform the training. Thus, a minimum 
of two individuals are placed in an unproductive role: the trainee and 
the supervisor of the training. In addition, equipment that is 
necessary in the training process is also removed from a productive 
mode. This investment does not guarantee that the trainee will either 
find the work rewarding or become a productive entity in the working 
environment. A diverse background could minimize these problems since 
retraining should not normally take as long because the individual 
would have the necessary background that makes the retraining process 
easier. With a general understanding of the differing tasks involved 
in the mapping process, the individual would have some experience from 
which they can base requests to other job functions. 
Next, a formal education program would not only provide the means 
by which competency of technical skills are developed, these skills 
would be based upon a framework of theoretical understanding of the 
photogrammetric situation. This has two advantages. Primarily, this 
background should allow the student the ability to identify and solve 
problems that may occur in the work place. In addition, this 
understanding of the theory would be a sound basis that could help in 
the retraining process. In-house training would not necessarily have 
this foundation since the tendancy is to be project and/or equipment 
oriented. Thus, there is no standardization and the training may 
change depending current projects or changes in instrumentation. 
| Another advantage of formal education of technicians is that a 
core of technical subjects is complemented by additional course 
instruction into other areas such as social science, general science, 
the humanities, etc. This helps develope the students understanding of 
their role in society so that not only will they become productive 
individuals in the work place but also they can utilize their abilities 
in a satisfying and purposful life. 
Finally, one important concept of formal education should be the 
development of communication skills. One problem of single-purpose 
training is that the individual is unfamiliar with the important role 
each phase of the mapping process plays. With a diverse background, 
better communications are established between the individual and other 
departments. Both can talk on the same level, utilize the same 
terminology and recognize difficult tasks that may occur under certain 
situations. This results in better harmony and increased efficiency. 
Technician training at a college serves as a reward to the 
individual in that a degree can be conferred upon the student in 
recognition of successful completion of the program. This degree can 
take different forms from a certificate of completion to an advanced 
degree. The most appropriate level would be an intermediate degree 
Burtch 2