The HEART Trust/NTA on Tuesday announced the release of new courses in geographic information systems (GIS) that are expected to significantly improve GIS training and certification locally.

The courses, Geomatics and Geospatial Services Level 2 and 3, will last nine months and will be offered at five HEART Trust/NTA institutions across the island.

The level 2 course will equip students with competencies to collect, verify, store and interpret geospatial data and manage databases. The level 3 programme, meanwhile, will build on level 2 and will equip learners with supervisory competencies, and the ability to develop databases and apply programming concepts to global geospatial analysis.

“The programmes not only focus on the technical aspects, but we also emphasise key employability skills. These skills include the ability to work in teams, think critically, analyse and find creative solutions to problems in the industry,” said Dr Marcia Rowe Amonde, senior director, TVET Development & Support Systems at HEART.

“HEART is not only using geospatial technology to make ourselves more efficient, but as Jamaica’s human capital development agency we are seeking to strengthen and offer new training programmes in GIS. These programmes are relevant and we hope will meet the labour market needs based on feedback we’ve received from the sector,” she continued.

Last year HEART joined the Environmental Systems Research Institute in a partnership with the Government of Jamaica, through the National Spatial Data Management Division in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation. The agreement will allow for GIS training and infrastructure technical support.

“As we design and develop these courses we believe it was very important to connect with the experts and employers in the sector, so that they inform the standards, contribute to the delivery, and allow trainees to have first-hand experience,” said Dr Amonde.

Geomatics and Geospatial Services Level 2 and 3 were launched at the 10th GIS Business Executive Forum held at Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston.