Read maps

Read maps effectively.

map interpreting
read a map
interpret maps
map reading
interpreting maps
interpret a map
reading maps

skill/competence

cross-sector

Read maps is an essential skill of the following occupations:

Bus driver: Bus drivers operate buses or coaches, take fares, and look after passengers.
Park guide: Park guides assist visitors, interpret cultural and natural heritage and provide information and guidance to tourists in parks such as wildlife, amusement and nature parks.
Cargo vehicle driver: Cargo vehicle drivers operate vehicles such as trucks and vans. They may also take care of the loading and unloading of cargo.
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.
Survival instructor: Survival instructors guide groups into vast, natural areas, and assist them in a self-directed instruction of basic survival needs without any comfort facilities or modern gear to fall back on. They coach the participants into mastering survival skills such as fire making, producing primitive equipment, shelter construction and procurement of water and nourishment. They ensure the participants are aware of certain safety measures without diminishing the level of adventure, of environment protection and of risk management. They encourage efforts of leadership from the group and mentor the participants individually so as to push their limits responsibly and help overcome potential fears.
Taxi controller: Taxi controllers take bookings, dispatch vehicles, and are responsible for coordinating drivers while maintaining customer liaison.
Sewerage network operative: Sewerage network operatives maintain sewerage systems which remove and transport wastewater and sewerage. They inspect pipes, pumping stations, and mains, looking for leaks or other faults, and repair any problems. They clear blockages, and perform maintenance duties, using network maps and specialised software.
Taxi driver: Taxi drivers operate a licensed private passenger transportation vehicle, looking after customers, taking fares and managing vehicle servicing.
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.
Mountain guide: Mountain guides assist visitors, interpret natural heritage and provide information and guidance to tourists on mountain expeditions. They support visitors with activities such as hiking, climbing and skiing in addition to ensuring their safety through monitoring both weather and health conditions.
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.
Moving truck driver: Moving truck drivers operate lorries or trucks intended for relocating and transporting goods, belongings, machinery, and others. They assist in placing goods in the truck for efficient use of space and security compliance.
Coastguard watch officer: Coastguard watch officers patrol and survey coast and sea regions to prevent accidents, as well as perform search and rescue missions in the event of an emergency. They react to emergency calls, advise on safety procedures, and prevent accidents and illegal activity at sea. Coastguard watch officers investigate shipping activities and aid during pollution incidents and in flood relief.
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.
Countryside officer: Countryside officers are responsible for a range of activities that manage and maintain the natural environment and associated public access and recreation. They encourage visitors to open spaces/the countryside, promote awareness of the natural environment and protect and preserve the open space/countryside for future enjoyment.
Private chauffeur: Private chauffeurs transport their employers to a particular destination safely and on time. They use navigation devices to reach the destination in the shortest time possible, advise on weather and traffic conditions and comply with legal driving regulations.

Read maps 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.

Tram driver: Tram drivers operate trams, take fares, and look after passengers.
Refuse vehicle driver: Refuse vehicle drivers drive the large vehicles used for refuse collection. They drive the vehicles from the homes and facilities where the refuse is collected by the refuse collectors on the lorry and transport the waste to the waste treatment and disposal facilities.
Motorcycle instructor: Motorcycle driver instructors teach people the theory and practice of how to operate a motorcycle safely and according to regulations. They assist students in developing the skills needed to ride and prepare them for the theory test and the practical riding test.
Travel consultant: Travel consultants provide customised information and consultation on travel offers, make reservations and sell travel services together with other related services.
Trolley bus driver: Trolley bus drivers operate trolley buses or guided buses, take fares, and look after passengers.
Bus driving instructor: Bus driving instructors teach people the theory and practice of how to operate a bus safely and according to regulations. They assist students in developing the skills needed to drive and prepare them for the driving theory tests and the practical driving test.
Outdoor activities instructor: Outdoor activities instructors organise and lead recreational outdoor trips through which the participants learn skills such as hiking, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, canoeing, rafting, rope course climbing etc. They also provide team-building exercises and activity workshops for disadvantaged participants. They ensure the safety of the participants and the equipment and explain safety measures for the participants to understand themselves as well. Outdoor activities instructors should be prepared to deal with the consequences of bad weather conditions, accidents and should responsibly manage possible anxiety from participants concerning certain activities.
Tour organiser: Tour organisers are in charge of managing and supervising the itinerary of a touristic voyage and provide practical information to tourists.
Artillery officer: Artillery officers offer support in battle in the fields of target acquisition, coordination of information, surveillance and weaponry. They are in charge of tactics, and deployment of weaponry on the field. They also lead soldiers.
Car driving instructor: Car driving instructors teach people the theory and practice of how to operate a car safely and according to regulations. They assist students in developing the skills needed to drive and prepare them for the driving theory tests and the practical driving test.
Armoured car driver: Armoured car drivers drive the armoured car to transfer valuable items, such as money, to different locations. They never leave the car. They work in cooperation with the armoured car guards who deliver the valuables to their final recipients. Armoured car drivers ensure vehicle security at all times by following company policies.
Rail intermodal equipment operator: Rail intermodal equipment operators assist in the loading of trailers and containers on and off railcars and chassis. They manoeuvre tractor-trailer combinations around tight corners and in and out of parking spaces. They use an on-board computer peripheral to communicate with yard management computer system and to identify railcars.
Guide:
Guides assist individuals or groups on any art facility, travel or sightseeing tours or through places of touristic interest, such as museums, monuments and public places. They help people to interpret the cultural heritage of an object, place or area and provide information and guidance.
Driving instructor: Driving instructors teach people the theory and practice on how to operate a vehicle safely and according to regulations. They assist students in developing the skills needed to drive and prepare them for the driving theory and the driving examination. They may also supervise driving examinations.
Infantry soldier: Infantry soldiers fight in combat missions or provide aid in peacekeeping missions and other humanitarian services. They handle weapons and provide defence services where they are required, and attempt to complete missions while causing minimal harm.
Roadside vehicle technician: Roadside vehicle technicians perform onsite repairs, tests and maintenance to roadside vehicles. They locate and travel to customers’ vehicles to provide services such as tyre replacements and engine repairs.
Truck driving instructor: Truck driving instructors teach people the theory and practice of how to operate a truck safely and according to regulations. They assist students in developing the skills needed to drive and prepare them for the driving theory tests and the practical driving test.
Timber trader: Timber traders assess the quality, quantity and market value of timber and timber products for trade. They organise the selling process of new timber and purchase stocks of timber.
Hunter: Hunters track and pursue animals with the intention of trapping or killing them. They hunt animals for the purpose of gaining food and other animal products, recreation, trade or wildlife management. Hunters specialise in the skill of tracking down and shooting animals with weapons such as rifles and bows. They also use devices to trap animals for similar purposes.
Hazardous waste technician: Hazardous waste technicians dispose of materials that have been in contact with or are ignitable, corrosive, reactive, toxic or a combination of the aforementioned hazardous traits. They remove the waste from industrial facilities or households and transport them to a treatment facility to ensure they are treated and disposed of according to regulations. They may also advise on the proper treatment of hazardous waste, and aid in the clean-up of hazardous waste spills.
Tourist information centre manager: Tourist information centre managers are in charge of managing employees and activities of a centre which provides information and advice to travellers and visitors about local attractions, events, travelling and accommodation.
Forestry adviser: Forestry advisers provide services and advice on economic and environmental issues in compliance with laws and regulations.
Forestry technician: Forestry technicians assist and support the forest manager and implement their decisions. They supervise a team of forestry equipment operators and support and supervise forestry and environmental protection through research and data collection. They also manage resource conservation and harvesting plans.
Bomb disposal technician: Bomb disposal technicians search areas using special equipment such as metal detectors, or using trained animals, for the presence of land mines and bombs, and remove the explosive materials according to safety regulations. After the search for and location of mines and bombs, they disarm them aiming to avoid any risk of detonation, and ensure the area is cleared before disarming and removal procedures.

References

1. Read maps – ESCO