GIS FOR EVERYONE
START YOUR GIS JOURNEY
FROM ZERO TO YOUR FIRST GIS PROJECT
Learn GIS.
Apply GIS.
Discover What GIS Can Do for Your Career.
A free, practical and beginner-friendly GIS training for students, graduates, professionals, GIS enthusiasts, career explorers and anyone interested in geographic information technology.
Learn how to apply GIS to your present and future profession, career and interests.
No advanced GIS experience required.
FREE | BEGINNER-FRIENDLY | PRACTICAL | QGIS | ONLINE
Our goal: reach 20,000+ GIS learners across professions, fields and career pathways.
THE WORLD IS BECOMING MORE GEOSPATIAL
Don't Be Left Out!
GIS is no longer restricted to people whose job title contains the words GIS, Geography or Surveying.
The learning ecosystem is already large.
MORE THAN 4 MILLION STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS
Esri reports that its Education Program contributes GIS technology and learning resources to more than 4 million students and scholars, spanning K–12 schools and higher-education institutions. (Esri)
GIS is increasingly used to understand:
Where things are.
How things are connected.
What is changing.
Where opportunities exist.
Where risks occur.
How resources are distributed.
What decisions should be supported by location-based information.
Understanding GIS can give you another way to think, analyse, communicate and solve problems.
More Than A GIS Class
Structured like a pro-level course, we've left nothing out!
GIS FOR EVERYONE is DroneSpatial Academy's open-entry GIS learning experience designed to introduce beginners to the fundamentals of geographic information and show them how GIS can be applied across different professions and interests.
This programme will help you
UNDERSTAND → EXPLORE → PRACTISE → APPLY → BUILD
You will not simply watch someone use GIS software, instead, you will work with spatial data, practise GIS operations, create a map and work toward a real-world GIS project.
WHY YOU SHOULD LEARN GIS
What can GIS add to your life and career?
The answer may be different for every learner.
For a Surveyor
Use GIS for mapping, spatial databases, analysis and decision support.
For an Engineer
Work with infrastructure, terrain, networks and spatial information.
For an Agricultural Professional
Explore farm mapping, suitability analysis and agricultural decision support.
For an Urban Planner
Analyse land use, accessibility, infrastructure and urban growth.
For an Environmental Professional
Study environmental conditions, land-use change and spatial risk.
For a Drone Professional
Transform aerial imagery into useful spatial information and mapping products.
For a Data Analyst
Add the geographic dimension to data analysis.
For a Researcher
Use spatial data to strengthen research and interpretation.
For a Business Professional
Use location information to understand customers, markets and service areas.
For a Student
Develop a technical skill with applications across multiple career paths.
The bigger question:
How can YOU apply GIS to your present profession, future career or personal interests?
That is one of the questions this programme is designed to help you answer.
WHO IS GIS FOR EVERYONE FOR?
WHO SHOULD JOIN?
GIS Beginners
People starting from zero.
GIS Enthusiasts
People interested in maps, location technology and geospatial applications.
Graduates
People looking to develop an additional practical technology skill.
Students
Across surveying, geography, planning, engineering, agriculture, environmental science, ICT, data and related fields.
Working Professionals
People seeking to integrate GIS into their current work.
Career Switchers
People exploring geospatial technology as a potential career direction.
Researchers
People interested in spatial data and geographic analysis.
Entrepreneurs
People interested in location intelligence and geographic information.
Government & Development Professionals
People working with land, infrastructure, agriculture, environment, planning or public services.
Anyone Curious About GIS
You don't need a geospatial degree to start.
THE 4-WEEK GIS FOR EVERYONE EXPERIENCE
What You Will Learn
Module 1
Understanding GIS
Lecture 1
What Is GIS?
Break down what geographic and spatial information means, discover how GIS transcends ordinary static maps, and study how industries leverage spatial analytics for real-world decision-making.
Lecture 2
The Geospatial Ecosystem.
Explore the interconnected relationships linking GIS, Remote Sensing, GNSS, UAVs, Spatial Data, and AI.
Practical Activity
GIS Around Me.
Identify active, high-value GIS applications within your specific industry, profession, or local community.
Module 2
Understanding Spatial Data
Lecture 3
Working with Spatial Data.
Master data structures including attributes, vector formats (points, lines, polygons), raster grids, layers, tables, and fundamental spatial relationships.
Lecture 4
Coordinates & CRS.
Gain an introductory mastery over coordinates, latitude/longitude, datums, map projections, WGS 84, and UTM systems.
Practical Lab
QGIS Orientation.
Load, inspect, and interact with real geographic datasets directly inside the free QGIS software.
Module 3
From Data to Map
Lecture 5
The GIS Workflow. Practice the complete seven-stage geospatial pipeline: Acquire, organize, explore, edit, analyze, visualize, and communicate.
Lecture 6
Your First Spatial Analysis. Learn the core spatial tools including data selection, queries, distance measurement, buffering, clipping, and area calculations.
Practical Problems
Proximity Analysis.
Solve real-world situational tasks like identifying which target communities fall within specified zones or meet precise spatial criteria.
Module 4
Build Your First GIS Project
Lecture 7
Apply GIS to a Real-World Problem.
Launch your custom project across a chosen domain like Agriculture, Surveying, Urban Planning, Environment, Infrastructure, Public Health, Education, Business, Disaster Management, or Research.
Lecture 8
Your GIS Career & Learning Roadmap
Design your professional trajectory navigating from basic GIS foundations into Spatial Analysis, Remote Sensing, Spatial Databases, Automation, GeoAI, Geospatial Intelligence, and Professional Practice.
Earn Your Certificate of Completion.
Take the steps required to fulfill the graduation criteria, verify your full name details, and unlock your formal certificate.
Build Your First Real GIS Project.
We believe in learning by doing.
The GIS FOR EVERYONE experience goes far beyond passive video demonstrations.
Every single participant will work toward a personalized mini capstone project designed to showcase your practical geospatial competence to employers, colleagues, and clients.
You will:
Source Your Dataset: Acquire and organize raw geographic data tailored specifically to your industry or interests.
Initialize Your Project: Set up a clean, structured workspace within the free QGIS software environment.
Execute Spatial Analysis: Perform core geographic operations, queries, and buffering to solve a practical problem.
Design a Professional Map: Transform raw spatial analysis into a visually stunning, publication-ready cartographic layout.
Present Your Findings: Draft a concise, high-impact problem statement explaining the real-world value of your data.
Show It. Publish It. Build Professional Evidence.
Don't let your hard work sit on your hard drive. We will guide you through publishing your map and hosting your project online so you can easily link it to your resume or LinkedIn profile.
What Software Will I Use?
For the FREE TRAINING;
QGIS
The free practical training is based on QGIS, allowing beginners to participate without purchasing a commercial GIS licence.
You will learn transferable GIS concepts and workflows rather than simply memorising software buttons.
For the PAID COHORT;
ARCGIS PRO
After the free programme, participants who want deeper professional training can progress into the paid GIS cohort using ArcGIS Pro.
By the end of the programme, you should be able to:
Explain fundamental GIS concepts
Understand spatial and attribute information
Distinguish vector and raster data
Understand basic CRS concepts
Navigate QGIS
Open and inspect GIS datasets
Organise spatial information
Perform introductory GIS operations
Conduct basic spatial analysis
Create a professional basic map
Apply GIS to a real-world problem
Complete a mini GIS project
Demonstrate your new competency
Identify your next GIS learning or career pathway
We are not training you to just "know GIS"
We want you to begin developing the ability to use GIS.
Our learning journey is:
LEARN → SEE → PRACTISE → APPLY → BUILD → SHOWCASE
You will learn. You will see it demonstrated. You will practise.
You will apply it. You will build something.
And you will have evidence of what you have done.
Also, you will learn from people who actively practice the profession.
Industry Experts
Professionals with practical knowledge of the geospatial industry and real-world applications.
Certified Trainers
Facilitators with relevant professional and technical training.
Experienced Practitioners
People who understand the difference between knowing software and delivering useful geospatial work.
Our approach combines:
Knowledge + Practical Competence + Professional Evidence
We believe learners should not have to choose between competence and certificates.
So, we help you build the competence, earn the recognition, and document the evidence.
What Will You Have at the End?
At the end of this training, you will have gained three things:
Knowledge
You'll understand core fundamental GIS concepts.
Competence
You'll have practised using spatial data and GIS workflows.
Evidence
You'll have a mini project/map/portfolio demonstrating what you can do.
Certification
Complete the programme's requirements and you will receive an optional DroneSpatial Academy certificate.
What Is Included?
THE FREE 4-WEEK GIS FOR EVERYONE EXPERIENCE INCLUDES
Live learning sessions
Practical demonstrations
Guided practice
QGIS practical exercises
Datasets for every participant
Learning resources
Real-world examples
Practical assignments
Mini capstone project
Community interaction
Career orientation
Completion recognition
Access to the GeoLegend Community
Opportunities to continue into the
Academy's professional learning pathway
Why Learn With Us?
Industry Experts
Learn from practitioners who understand real geospatial applications.
Certified & Experienced Trainers
Receive structured instruction from qualified and experienced facilitators.
Competence + Certification
We believe a certificate should accompany demonstrable learning, not replace it.
Practical-First Learning
Demonstration is followed by guided practice and application.
Real-World Problems
The training connects GIS concepts to problems across professions and sectors.
Multi-Profession Approach
GIS is presented as a capability that can strengthen many professional pathways.
African Context
The programme is designed for African learners while maintaining globally relevant geospatial principles.
Progressive Learning
The free programme is an entry point into a larger professional geospatial development ecosystem.
Where Can You Go From Here?
GIS FOR EVERYONE
↓
GIS FOUNDATION
↓
GeoLegend Member
↓
GeoLegend Associate
↓
GeoLegend Professional
↓
GeoLegend Expert
With additional pathways into:
Remote Sensing
Spatial Analysis
Spatial Databases
GIS Automation
GeoAI
Geospatial Intelligence
Drone Mapping &
Geospatial Consultancy.
The free programme a starting point, not the end of the journey.
Our goal: 20,000+ People introduced to GIS.
We are opening the door to GIS for people from different professions, disciplines, industries, career stages, educational backgrounds, and interests. The course is open to everyone interested in want to understand what GIS can do including students, professionals, beginners, enthusiasts, and career explorers. DON'T BE LEFT OUT.
Join The GeoLegend Community
Your learning should not end when the class ends.
The GeoLegend Community provides a continuing environment for:
LEARNING, NETWORKING & OPPORTUNITIES
DISCOVERY & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
GEOSPATIAL CONVERSATION & MUCH MORE
Your GIS Journey Can Start Today.
You don't need to know everything.
You don't need to have a GIS degree.
You don't need years of experience.
You just need to start.
LEARN GIS
APPLY GIS
BUILD YOUR FIRST PROJECT
SHOW WHAT YOU CAN DO
JOIN GIS FOR EVERYONE
DON'T JUST LEARN GEO. BECOME USEFUL WITH IT.
FREE | BEGINNER-FRIENDLY | PRACTICAL | QGIS | ONLINE