The twin technologies of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) & Wall Probing Radar (WPR) enable the detection of buried material, either below ground or within built structures and are based on long standing scientific principles that are well understood at academic level. They are used throughout Europe on a daily basis for many diverse purposes including Civil Engineering & Construction; Traffic Management; Town Planning and the Maintenance of Utility infrastructures. In addition, other applications provide more societal benefit such as: assisting forensic investigations; aiding health & safety and the reduction of workplace injuries; supporting environmental improvements by replacing of intrusive works with non intrusive procedures; supporting heritage preservation through archaeological surveys; identifying water leakage from potable water distribution systems; the preservation of life through humanitarian/demining services and the search for new sources of water in drought areas. The technology is quickly becoming vital for efficient economic development and growth as well as the health & safety of Europe’s citizens.

 

The only vocational training available however is provided on an individual basis with regard to the use of specific equipment, by the manufacturers, or suppliers of that equipment, with the focus being the functional aspects of that specific equipment. Or with regard to the provision of specific services, by the service providers to their own staff, with focus being on the commercial deliverables. In each case the training is without recourse to common terminology, agreed physical principles or accepted parameters & technical limitations. The only recognised qualifications available are wholly academic ones, provided via the University system.

 

This has led to wide ranging variations in the knowledge, skill, and ability of individual operators in the application of the technology, particularly in respect of its use and limitation in diverse field of operation. With no access to relevant, commonly recognised assessment process, the industry is unable to offer appealing career paths and employment opportunities in line with todays accepted practices. Exacerbating this disparity even further are the copious guidance documents for general and specific uses, produced both here in Europe and abroad.

 

The European GPR Association works to propose a model of formation where theoretical awareness, experience in the field, best practices and even ethic behaviours (e.g. to avoid overpromises, over-inferring, over-interpretations and over-processing) have to come together under shared bases and under a common language.