Have spatial awareness

Be aware of your position and the space around you. Understand the relationship of objects around you when there is a change of position.

understand spatial principles
understand the spatial characteristics of an environment
possess spatial awareness
understand space and positioning
act with spatial awareness
be spatially aware
understand positioning and space
operate with spatial awareness

skill/competence

cross-sector

Have spatial awareness is an essential skill of the following occupations:

Air traffic controller: Air traffic controllers assist pilots by providing information concerning the height, speed and course. They assist pilots in order to facilitate a safe take off and landing of aircrafts. They are responsible for maintaining a secure and orderly movement of aircraft along major air routes up in the sky and around airports. They control air traffic in and within vicinity of airports according to established procedures and policies to prevent collisions and to minimise delays arising from traffic congestion.
Helicopter pilot: Helicopter pilots fly helicopters in order to transport passengers and cargo from one place to another. They plan flights using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments. Prior to departure, they inspect helicopters following checklists to detect leaking hydraulic fluid, inoperative control, low fuel level, or other unsafe conditions.
Airline transport pilot: Airline transport pilots fly large aircrafts with a maximum take-off weight of more than 5700 kilograms, to transport passengers, mail, or freight on long or short-haul flights for leisure, business or commercial purposes. They have the overall responsibility for the safe and efficient operation of aircrafts and the safety of crew and passengers.
Commercial pilot: Commercial pilots navigate flight of fixed-wing and multi-engine aircrafts for the transport of passengers and cargo.
Co-pilot: Co-pilots are responsible for assisting captains by monitoring the flight instruments, handling radio communications, watching for air traffic, and taking over for the pilot as needed. They adhere to the pilot’s commands, flight plans, and regulations and procedures of aviation national authorities, companies, and airports.
Private pilot: Private pilots operate non-commercial airplanes for leisure with a limited amount of seats and engine horsepower. They also provide private transport for people.
Aircraft pilot: Aircraft pilots control and navigate aircraft. They operate the mechanical and electrical systems of the aircraft and transport people, mail and freight.
Warehouse worker: Warehouse workers execute the accurate handling, packing and storage of materials in a warehouse. They receive goods, label them, check quality, store the goods and document any damage. Warehouse workers also monitor stock levels of items, keep inventory and ship goods.
Airspace manager: Airspace managers control activities aimed at developing the European airspace into a continuum that is flexible and reactive to changes of users’ needs in airspace. They aim to optimise the network capacity and improve the performance.

Have spatial awareness is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this skill may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Airport operations officer: Airport operations officers perform supervisory and administrative work monitoring operational activities on an assigned shift at a large airport. They ensure the safe take-off and landing of aircrafts
Air force pilot: Air force pilots operate aircrafts in combat missions, patrol missions, or search and rescue missions. They ensure aircraft maintenance, and communicate with air force bases and other vessels to ensure safety and efficiency in operations.
Container crane operator: Container crane operators operate electrically powered cranes equipped with cantilevers on which hoisting gear is supported to load or unload container cargo. They move towers in position alongside vessel and lower cantilevers over the deck or hold of a vessel. They lift and move container along the cantilever and position the container on the dock, on the vessel deck or in the hold.

References

1. Have spatial awareness – ESCO