ENGT Faculty Complete Trimble Surveying Equipment Training to Support Expanding Construction Management Curriculum

The Department of Engineering & Technology Management at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette recently completed a two-day introductory training on new Trimble surveying equipment for the Construction Management Program, including the Trimble S5 robotic total stations.

The training was provided by Seiler Geospatial, previously Navigation Electronics, Inc. (NEI), and Stephen Herpin, PLS, served as instructor, helping faculty better understand the capabilities and applications of modern geospatial technology in construction, surveying, and field operations. Faculty participated in hands-on activities focused on equipment setup, data collection, robotic total station operation, and field workflows commonly used throughout the construction industry.

The department plans to begin integrating this technology into Construction Management coursework beginning Fall 2026, particularly within Construction Materials and Methods courses and other applied learning experiences. The addition of advanced surveying and layout technology will help students gain exposure to modern construction field practices and technology-driven project workflows increasingly used across the industry.

To further support these efforts, the program also plans to incorporate Trimble Business Center software into the curriculum, allowing students to work with surveying data, coordinate field measurements, and better understand digital construction workflows that connect field and office operations.

“We are excited about the opportunities this technology brings to our students and curriculum,” said ENGT faculty involved in the training. “Providing hands-on experience with industry-relevant tools helps prepare students for the evolving demands of the construction workforce.”

The department was also excited to have three Engineering Structured Apprenticeship Program (ESAP) students currently working with Facility Management participate in the training experience. Their involvement provided additional opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world applications in construction and facilities operations.

The new equipment and planned curriculum enhancements support the department’s continued focus on workforce readiness, industry partnerships, and applied learning within the growing Construction Management concentration.