[OSGeo-Discuss] Training and certification

[Ezra Boyd]

Hi Tyler,

I just finished my graduate program and have to start paying back my
student loans.

One option that I mulling for earning income is to put together
introductory seminars & workshops on OSGeo software.  In particular,
my area has a number of small environmental NGO's that need GIS but
can't afford commercial software.  If that pans out, I would
definitely want to complete a certificate program that gives me
credentials.

So, I am interested in the first option that you listed along with
what you mentioned at the bottom of the paragraph.

Regards,
Ezra



On Thu, Jun 9, 2011 at 2:38 PM, Tyler Mitchell <tmitchell at osgeo.org> wrote:
> In the recent OSGeo survey (http://bit.ly/surveyresultsraw) several ideas for diversifying OSGeo income were presented. The one that received the highest number of votes (62% 104/167 votes) was:
>
> "Set up a professional training and certification program".
>
> Yes, it was a question short on details, but it was chosen a full 15% above all other items.  Now's the time to figure out what we all meant ;-)
>
> There are at least three approaches that might be considered here:
>
> 1. To lead training courses that may also come with a certificate or be part of a larger program. (e.g. for users, developers, integrators to gain personal knowledge and show it off, maybe in a GISP style?)
> 2. To give an organisation a stamp of approval, that their skills or staff meet some standard
> 3. To technically certify a product or application -  (e.g. as a sort of endorsement that the technology meets some OSGeo standard)
>
> I've got a few more ideas kicking around in my head, but was curious on your thoughts.  Keep in mind the context of the survey question was for helping raise funds - that would primarily be through either course fees, or through certification fees - a company would pay to be assessed and to be able to use the endorsement on an annual basis (or something similar).  Or some other way maybe?
>
> Anyone else thinking about this or want to weigh-in on what their thoughts were?
>
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