ORIF is not a typical geomatics company. This vocational training organization provides apprenticeships across 30 different trades for people who have experienced life-changing injuries or psychological challenges and need to reorient their careers. Five years ago, Patrick Darbellay opened ORIF’s geomatics section, creating opportunities for students to learn surveying, GNSS technology, and GIS software through a four-year apprenticeship program.

Choosing the Right Tools

As the sole geomatics instructor working with five students, Patrick needed software that would align with what students learn in Swiss vocational schools while being accessible* and well-supported. QField and QGIS were natural choices.

“In Switzerland, QGIS is really well accepted by the geomatics community”

Unlike proprietary alternatives, QGIS and QField offered abundant free learning resources and community support—invaluable for students rebuilding their lives.

From Paper to Digital

Before QField, students used paper notebooks to record attributes and a Trimble GNSS receiver for coordinates. Patrick worked with his students to develop a QField-based system that captures field data directly on mobile devices while maintaining rigorous GNSS survey protocols.

This hybrid approach gives students professional-grade GNSS data collection with detailed protocol logs for learning, combined with efficient digital attribute capture through QField.

Real-World Projects

ORIF’s students conduct actual professional work supporting Switzerland’s cadastral system. Their current project involves renewing base points (control points) used for official surveying across their region – approximately 2,000 points in total.

“We go to the field, we search for these points. If we find them, we survey them. Then in QField, we put the state—if it’s good or not, if it’s level. We take a photo, we link the photo in QField, we enter all the attributes and the date of surveying”

The project is carefully chosen to provide valuable experience without competing with local geomatics companies — many of which eventually employ ORIF graduates. The work gives students complete surveying experience: GNSS measurements, photography, attribute data entry, and physical marking with spray paint.

Building Confidence

For students at ORIF, the ability to produce professional work using modern tools has impacts beyond technical skills.

“It’s really special—it’s not only geomatics, it’s a bit social and psychological. For them, it’s really valuable because they can make something themselves and produce something themselves. If you have trouble and a part of your life is difficult, you’re a bit down. If you can go up again with such tools, I think that’s really valuable.”

The self-directed learning that QField and QGIS enable is particularly important. Students can explore the software independently, find solutions to problems, and experience the satisfaction of overcoming challenges on their own.

Success Metrics

ORIF’s approach is working. Approximately 60-80% of students complete the full apprenticeship program and successfully transition to employment in geomatics companies. A remarkable achievement considering the challenges these students have faced.

Students spend their first two years at ORIF building foundational skills and stability. If they’re ready, they transition to work with a regular employer for their third and fourth years—completing their apprenticeship in the professional marketplace they’ll eventually join.

The QField system Patrick developed has become integral to preparing students for this transition. They learn modern digital workflows, database concepts, and mobile data collection—all skills that employers value.

Looking Forward

As ORIF continues to develop its geomatics program, Patrick is exploring additional ways to leverage QField’s capabilities. For Patrick, the success of the program is measured not in points surveyed or data collected, but in lives changed.

“The goal of ORIF is to make this bridge. And it’s working well.”