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Fife College partners with Esri UK to boost Geospatial Foundation Skills Programme

Posted on: 23/10/24

23 October 2024

Fife College has partnered with Esri UK, a leading provider of Geographic Information System (GIS) software, to enhance its new Geospatial Foundation Skills programme. Esri UK will provide access to the cutting-edge ArcGIS online platform, along with specialised training for college staff.

This partnership ensures students enrolled in the Geospatial Foundation Skills programme gain practical experience with advanced mapping and spatial analysis tools. These industry-relevant skills are in high demand in areas like urban planning, environmental management, and data analysis.

The first in-person course for the Geospatial Foundation Skills Programme will commence on 18 November at Fife College’s Levenmouth Campus, running through March 2024. The programme will be delivered 2–3 days per week, offering students comprehensive, hands-on experience with real-world geospatial applications.

Jenni Doonan, Head of Projects at Fife College and a keynote speaker at Esri UK's recent Scotland Conference in Perth, praised the partnership:

"We are thrilled to have Esri UK’s support for our Geospatial Foundation Skills programme. Having access to industry-leading software is crucial for our students, providing them with hands-on experience and skills that are highly valued in the job market. This partnership truly enhances their learning and future career prospects."

Charles Kennelly, Chief Technology Officer of Esri-Holdings, said:

"The availability of Geospatial skills are increasingly important to Scotland in environmental, societal and economic terms. We believe that this initiative from Fife College is an innovative and important step in increasing the benefits that we gain from geospatial data and techniques."

The course, funded by the UK Space Agency, is one of the first of its kind offered by a UK college, designed to give students foundational knowledge in geospatial systems and their application across a range of industries. Graduates will be equipped with skills suited to entry-level roles in this growing sector.

For those unable to attend the in-person course starting next month, there is an option to express interest in an online version of the course, which Fife College is considering for future offerings. Interested individuals are encouraged to complete the form here.

Geospatial information refers to data connected to specific locations on Earth, such as maps, satellite imagery, and GPS data. This information helps in understanding where things happen and how they relate to each other spatially.

More information about Fife College’s Space Industry courses can be found here.