By Khalil Wilson Eye of the Hurricane
Vocational training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is being offered to Frederick Douglass students.
GIS is a growing, high-paying high-tech field focused on visualizing data and creating and using maps.
Students taking the course will learn the skills necessary to create and use map data, and upon completion of the course, students will receive a certificate.
Detroit Public Schools is offering a 10-week course for students to learn how to use GIS. The program will be held in the Douglass library on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided.
“The goal is for students who are attending the 10-week course is to train and provide an internship to maybe have a long term job,” says Marsha Lewis, a facilitator/instructional specialist.
GIS is used by various businesses, including banks, governments, news organizations, law enforcement and fire/emergency medical services. GIS professionals are tasked with using data to build geographic maps and models based on criteria from income to education to city services in order to understand relationships, patterns and trends.
Students who are interested should go to Douglass’ main office and ask for either Principal Berry Greer or Glovetta Williams for an application and agreement policies.
“It’s an exciting field for students,” Williams said. “With their certification in GIS, students will be able to obtain a more lucrative job.”
Students will receive around 250 service hours while attending the course.
