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Ideal Workplace Solutions
NITA AccreditedAdvancedPhysical + Virtual10 daysIGAQ09

Training on Introduction to GIS using ArcGIS and QGIS

Master GIS fundamentals with ArcGIS and QGIS. Learn to visualize, analyze, and interpret geographic data to gain valuable insights.

Next intake

20 Jul 2026 · Nakuru

View all dates

Duration

10 days

Live instruction

Delivery

Physical + Virtual

Cohort based

Level

Advanced

Working professionals

Certification

NITA reimbursable

For Kenyan cohorts

Language

English

All materials

Overview

About this programme

Welcome to our comprehensive course on Introduction to GIS using ArcGIS and QGIS! In this course, we will take you on a participants through the fascinating world of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and provide you with a solid foundation in two of the most widely used GIS software platforms: ArcGIS and QGIS.

GIS is a transformative technology that enables us to capture, analyze, and visualize spatial data, allowing us to gain valuable insights into the world around us. Whether you're interested in urban planning, environmental conservation, disaster management, or any field where location plays a crucial role, GIS will empower you to make informed decisions and solve complex problems.

Throughout this course, we will cover essential GIS concepts, such as spatial data types, coordinate systems, and data acquisition methods. You will learn how to manage and manipulate spatial data effectively, conduct spatial analysis to reveal meaningful patterns and relationships, and design professional-quality maps for effective communication of your findings.

Our hands-on approach will provide you with practical experience using ArcGIS and QGIS. Through step-by-step learning and real-world examples, participants will gain the confidence to navigate the software interfaces, perform essential tasks, and apply GIS techniques to real-world scenarios.

Course Duration

10 Days

Who Should Attend?

  • Beginners and professionals who are new to GIS and want to develop foundational skills.
  • Environmental scientists, urban planners, geographers, and professionals from related fields looking to incorporate GIS into their work.
  • Students and researchers in disciplines that require spatial analysis and mapping.
  • Anyone interested in understanding how to use GIS for spatial data analysis and decision-making.
Learning outcomes

What you'll walk away with

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the basic concepts and principles of GIS.
  • Navigate and utilize the interfaces of ArcGIS and QGIS.
  • Collect, manage, and manipulate spatial data.
  • Perform spatial analysis and interpret the results.
  • Create informative maps and visualizations to support decision-making.
  • Apply GIS techniques to real-world problems and scenarios.
Course modules

What we cover, module by module

Module 1: Introduction to GIS

  • Definition and significance of GIS

  • History and evolution of GIS

  • Key components of a GIS

  • Practical Exercise: Explore sample GIS datasets and identify components

  • Case Study: How GIS transformed urban planning in a major city

Module 2: Getting Started with ArcGIS

  • Overview of ArcGIS software suite

  • Installing and setting up ArcGIS

  • Interface navigation and basic tools

  • Practical Exercise: Load and visualize a sample vector dataset in ArcGIS

Module 3: Getting Started with QGIS

  • Overview of QGIS software

  • Installing and setting up QGIS

  • Interface navigation and basic tools

  • Practical Exercise: Load and edit a raster dataset in QGIS

  • Case Study: Using QGIS for community resource mapping

Module 4: Spatial Data Types, Formats, and Management

  • Vector and raster data

  • Common spatial data formats (Shapefiles, GeoTIFFs, etc.)

  • Data sources and acquisition

  • Organizing and storing spatial data

  • Editing vector and raster data

  • Attribute data management

  • Practical Exercise: Import, edit, and manage a dataset

  • Case Study: Environmental monitoring using mixed data types

Module 5: Coordinate Systems and Projections

  • Understanding coordinate systems

  • Common projections used in GIS

  • Reprojecting spatial data

  • Practical Exercise: Reproject a dataset from one coordinate system to another

Module 6: Basic Spatial Analysis

  • Overlay analysis

  • Buffering and spatial joins

  • Measuring distance and area

  • Practical Exercise: Perform buffer and overlay analysis on a sample dataset

  • Case Study: GIS-based site selection for a public facility

Module 7: Advanced Spatial Analysis Techniques

  • Spatial statistics and modeling

  • Network analysis

  • Surface analysis and interpolation

  • Practical Exercise: Conduct network and surface analysis on real-world data

Module 8: Creating Maps and Visualizations

  • Map design principles

  • Symbology and labeling

  • Creating and exporting maps

  • Practical Exercise: Design and produce thematic maps from your analysis

  • Case Study: Visualization of population density and service coverage

Module 9: Applications of GIS in Various Fields

  • Environmental management

  • Urban planning

  • Public health and epidemiology

  • Agriculture and natural resource management

  • Practical Exercise: Apply GIS analysis to a selected sector

  • Case Study: Use of GIS in disaster management

Module 10: Project Work and Integration

  • Integrating ArcGIS and QGIS workflows

  • Hands-on project using real-world data

  • Presentation and discussion of project results

  • Case Study: Comprehensive project covering data acquisition, analysis, and visualization

Impact

Where the change lands

Organisational Impact

  • Builds institutional capacity by equipping staff with foundational GIS skills applicable across multiple sectors.

  • Enhances decision-making processes through accurate spatial data analysis and mapping.

  • Increases flexibility by training staff in both proprietary (ArcGIS) and open-source (QGIS) platforms.

  • Supports diverse organisational needs such as urban planning, environmental management, disaster response, and resource monitoring.

  • Reduces dependency on external consultants by developing in-house GIS expertise.

Personal Impact

  • Provides participants with a solid foundation in GIS concepts and applications.

  • Equips learners with practical skills in both ArcGIS and QGIS, enhancing professional versatility.

  • Builds confidence in managing, analyzing, and visualizing spatial data effectively.

  • Expands career opportunities across industries that require GIS expertise.

  • Empowers participants to apply GIS techniques to real-world challenges in their field of interest.

Dates and locations

Upcoming intakes

Every intake is limited to a small cohort. Booking closes when a date fills or three weeks before the start, whichever comes first.

Full calendar
FAQs

Common questions.

Still not sure? Send us a note and a facilitator will get back to you within a business day.

The goal is to provide a solid foundation in GIS using both ArcGIS and QGIS. You'll learn to create maps, analyze spatial data, and visualize information to support data-driven decision-making in any field.

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Course finder

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For corporate teams

Training 10+ professionals?

We deliver Training on Introduction to GIS using ArcGIS and QGIS in-house at your offices, at a venue we arrange, or fully virtual. Customise the curriculum against your KPIs, and get a bespoke price for the cohort size you need.

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