The rapid transition of North Carolina and Tennessee to information-based economies has seen each state experiencing both the positive and negative effects of technological growth. While cities like Charlotte and Nashville have seen an increased need for educated and skilled high-tech workers, thousands of jobs have been lost by those who have little or no higher education and who have limited access to a college or can afford to earn a two or four year degree.

To combat this problem the Institute for GIS Studies (IGISS) has teamed up with Central Piedmont Community College (NC) and the University of Southern Mississippi (MS) to create a GIS program that will meet the needs of the geospatial community, and be a replicable model for community colleges across the nation. The Geospatial Business Hub Project Grant will allow IGISS and its educational partners to strive toward the completion of the following goals:

A Geospatial Land Records Certificate accredited by the Department of Labor and suitable for continuing education units (CEU’s)
A Geospatial Utility Certificate accredited by the Department of Labor and suitable for continuing education units (CEU’s)
  • 425 individuals trained (100 associate degree and 325 continuing education students);
  • Curriculum for 23+ courses and 2 modularized certificates, one in Land Records and one in Utilities (each certificate can be completed individually for CEU credits or utilized for the next step on the career/education advancement ladder);
  • Distance learning center and hybrid presentations of 10 courses developed during the Fall 2005;
  • Faculty and staff training and professional development approaches; and
  • Ongoing student recruitment, support, outreach, and financial aid.

IGISS will primarily focus on educating unemployed and displaced workers in North Carolina and Tennessee. There will also be an effort to place recent high school graduates in the associate degree program to build a strong presence of youth entering the geospatial world.

With classes available online non-traditional students will be able to work around their schedule and at their own pace. Students can have a flexible more convenient way of obtaining the GIS skills that are needed in the workplace.