The fastest way to turn your GIS team into a top 5% powerhouse starts here
Equip your workforce with the skills they need to thrive in modern GIS. From AI copilots to advanced data engineering, our programs accelerate learning, deliver measurable ROI, and connect you to a pipeline of certified geospatial talent.
This isn’t just about individual skills—it’s about what your whole team can (or can’t) do. The numbers speak for themselves:
Fewer than 1 in 2 GIS teams regularly use programming or automation in production.
Less than 10% of teams have applied geospatial AI or machine learning in real-world projects.
Only 14% of organizations report advanced, non-vendor-specific training for their staff.
That means the vast majority of geospatial teams are still working with a fragmented, outdated toolkit, missing the skills needed to scale modern solutions.
What Top Teams Do Differently
The top teams are mastering a complete stack that includes:
Spatial SQL for enterprise-scale queries
Python for geospatial automation and integration
Cloud-native workflows (GeoParquet, COG, Zarr)
AI/ML for geospatial data and decision support
Data engineering pipelines to move from project work to scalable systems
By investing in programs like the AI Co-Pilot for GIS, Modern GIS Accelerator, and the Spatial Lab, your organization isn’t just sending individuals to learn—you’re building a team that thinks, works, and delivers at the highest level of the profession.
These teams don’t just keep up. They set the pace.
LEVEL UP
Why employers partner with us
This isn’t just about sending staff to another training. It’s about transforming what your team is capable of delivering—moving from routine GIS support to high-impact, modern geospatial problem solving.
By the time your team has completed our programs, contributed to projects, and tapped into our community, they’ll be:
More capable
Confident in AI copilots, spatial SQL, Python, and cloud-native geospatial workflows.
More efficient
Replacing manual processes with automation, scaling analysis from local to global, and reducing project turnaround time.
More Connected
Integrated into a network of certified modern GIS professionals, giving your organization both talent retention and a direct hiring pipeline.
More valuable
Equipped with end-to-end data engineering skills, able to design pipelines, and ready to tackle enterprise-level geospatial challenges.
The ROI of Investing in Your Team
Most GIS training programs are expensive, slow to deliver results, and leave teams struggling to apply what they’ve learned.
That’s wasted time and wasted budget. Our approach is different: for less than the cost of a single software license—typically under $500 per person—your staff can gain skills that reduce project turnaround time by 30–50%, cut manual work hours, and begin producing ROI in just 2–4 weeks.
Add to that the savings of avoiding months of recruiting by hiring directly from our certified graduate network, and the return isn’t just theoretical—it’s immediate and measurable.
Average data prep time reduced to 2 hours per dataset
Total annual time spent: 960 hours. Time saved: 2,880 hours annually
At a conservative loaded staff rate of $60/hour, that’s over $172,000/year in productivity recaptured—delivered from a training investment of under $6,000.
ROI: ~28x return in the first year.
How it works
Three transformative stages
Mastering modern GIS doesn’t have to mean pulling your staff away for months of training or overspending on certifications that don’t stick.
Our proven 3-step approach is designed to maximize learning, minimize disruption, and deliver measurable ROI for your organization.
Define where your team needs to grow: AI copilots, modern GIS formats, cloud pipelines, or data engineering.
Benchmark your staff’s current capabilities against industry standards.
Get a tailored roadmap from Matt that aligns your team’s growth with organizational goals.
Teams complete real-world projects that translate directly into daily workflows.
Staff learn together, share insights, and build accountability.
Track outcomes across individuals and the whole team, adjusting the learning plan as new needs arise.
Map how your team’s new skills will scale across departments and projects.
Showcase certified expertise internally and externally, positioning your organization as a leader in modern GIS.
Connect with certified graduates from our programs to fill roles faster and with confidence.
Matt is dedicated to upskilling those who have left university a long time ago to keep up with what is being taught nowadays. This is only part of the puzzle, however.
FULL ACCESS
Spatial Lab
Your team’s home base for modern GIS learning and growth
The Spatial Lab combines cutting-edge training, peer community, and expert support to help your team build the technical and professional impact skills they can’t get anywhere else.
Give your staff more than just courses—give them a complete ecosystem where skills, support, and momentum translate directly into on-the-job results.
Learn cutting-edge geospatial skills in spatial SQL, Python, cloud-native data formats, and spatial AI
Build real-world projects that reflect the challenges your organization faces
Join live events and cohorts to reinforce skills, share insights, and maintain accountability
Access a dedicated team space (Scale & Lead tiers) for collaboration and internal projects
Receive custom coaching (Lead tier) for strategy and implementation
COMPLETE PACKAGE
Modern GIS Accelerator
Your team’s home base for modern GIS learning and growth
The Modern GIS Accelerator is a fast-track program designed to help teams pivot from legacy GIS into cloud-native, modern geospatial workflows. In just a few weeks, your staff can go from relying on traditional tools to confidently running scalable, enterprise-ready geospatial analysis.
Accelerate your team’s transformation without wasting months on generic training. This program zeroes in on the exact tools, formats, and workflows that you will need.
Learn how to scale GIS workflows with PostGIS and spatial SQL and Geospatial Python
Master cloud-native formats (GeoParquet, Cloud-Optimized GeoTIFFs, Zarr)
Build real-world pipelines for spatial data ingestion, transformation, and analysis
Replace manual workflows with reproducible, automated systems
Complete the program in 2–4 weeks, applying skills immediately to business-critical projects
ACCELERATE WITH AI
AI Co-Pilot for GIS
Put AI to work in your GIS and reclaim hours every week
The AI Co-Pilot for GIS turns generative AI into a practical productivity engine for your team. Instead of spending hours troubleshooting code, rewriting reports, or stuck at project kick-off, your staff learns to systematize tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot into everyday GIS workflows.
Give your team a built-in AI assistant for every project. The result: fewer bottlenecks, faster project delivery, and staff who can operate at a higher level of clarity and efficiency.
Apply AI to SQL and Python troubleshooting, automating code fixes and explanations
Use AI for project ideation and scoping, turning vague requirements into clear workflows
Build custom AI playbooks and assistants tuned for geospatial tasks (analysis, QA, GeoPandas, SQL joins, map styling)
Accelerate documentation, reporting, and map production with AI-assisted drafting and quality checks
Develop a repeatable “AI workflow system” that compounds efficiency gains over time
Get the skills, feedback, and support your team has been missing
Most organizations try to patch training together—an intro to Python here, a leadership workshop there—but nothing ties technical mastery and professional impact skills into one system.
The truth is, there’s no other place where your staff can build both at the same time.
If your team doesn’t get this here, they won’t get it anywhere. This is the only system designed to create whole professionals who can both master the tools and deliver value that sticks.
SAVE up to 30% with multiple seats - additional 15% with annual plans
Build
Learn and grow
- Full access to core Modern GIS Bricks (a $447 value)
- Full access to the Modern GIS Accelerator (a $399 value)
- Access to 15+ community spaces for discussion and support
- Access to Matt Forrest Twice-Monthly Office Hours (a $500 value)
- Monthly beginner workshops (live and replay)
🔥 Most popular 🔥
Scale
Accelerate impact
- Everything in Build plus...
- Unlimited access to live sessions and event replays
- Weekly live calls, office hours, and Career Hot Seats with Matt ($1000 value)
- Full suite of Modern GIS Bricks (a $1192 value)
- Built-in AI assistant (Tiley) to help you find content, tools, and threads
- Access to private peer groups and deeper topic channels
- Submit work for direct feedback from Matt (a $350 value)
- Showcase your work and grow visibility inside and outside the Lab
- Mentorship matching and project feedback spaces
- Small group masterminds around specific topics
New
Lead
For leaders and growth
- Bi-monthly learning and coaching calls with Matt (a $800 value)
- Unlimited access to live sessions and event replays
- Weekly live calls, office hours, and Career Hot Seats with Matt ($1000 value)
- Built-in AI assistant (Tiley) to help you find content, tools, and threads
- Access to private peer groups and deeper topic channels
- Submit work for direct feedback from Matt (a $500 value)
- Showcase your work and grow visibility inside and outside the Lab
- Mentorship matching and project feedback spaces
- Small group masterminds around specific topics
- Lead is billed on a quarterly basis
Compare the memberships
Build
Scale
Lead
Modern GIS Accelerator
Complete program for modern GIS from QGIS to Cloud-Native
Community Spaces
Learn, interact, and share with others
AI Co-Pilot for GIS
Accelerate your work with AI powered workflows
Weekly Events
Hot seats, deep dives, career paths, and more
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Modern GIS Bricks Core Tier
Matt's Twice a Month Office Hours
Built-in AI assistant (Tiley)
Modern GIS Bricks Full Suite
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Full Community Forum
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Mentorship & Peer Matching
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Networking Events & Project Showcases
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Exclusive 2x/Month 1:1 Coaching with Matt
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SAVE up to 30% with multiple seats
AI Co-Pilot for GIS
Learn and grow
- 2 hours of step-by-step video lessons – short, tactical, and easy to follow in one weekend
- AI Prompt Library – copy-paste prompts for SQL, Python, spatial analysis, documentation, and career growth
- Portfolio-Ready Project Frameworks – guided exercises to turn workflows into case studies employers care about
- Includes System Prompt Builder, Productivity Boost Pack, Project Ideation Toolkit, Workflow Architect Templates, Quick Wins Checklist, and the AI Playbook
🔥 Most popular 🔥
Modern GIS Accelerator
Accelerate impact
- Step-by-step lessons, hands-on projects, and career-focused training—so you can apply what you learn immediately.
- 49 Bite-Sized Lessons—clear, structured, and easy to follow
- Real-World GIS Exercises
- 5 Core GIS Domains—QGIS, Python, SQL, Web GIS, and Cloud GIS
- 9 Career Based Modules - Finding Hidden Jobs, Outreach, Career Positioning, Resume Assistance, Salary and Interview Skills
- Quizzes & Assessments—track your progress and reinforce learning
- Lifetime Access—learn at your own pace, on your schedule
When we say community, what do we mean?
The Spatial Lab is your home base for learning modern GIS—together with others who are just as driven as you.
Built on the Circle platform, it’s a clean, easy-to-navigate space where you can join focused discussions, get help when you're stuck, and access exclusive courses, events, and resources—all in one place.
Whether you're building a portfolio, learning a new tool, or navigating a career move, the Spatial Lab is where support, momentum, and real growth happen.
Hi, I’m Matt Forrest
I created these programs because I’ve seen how difficult it can be for organizations to keep their GIS teams ahead of the curve. Too many still rely on outdated tools and workflows, and even the most talented staff feel stuck without a clear path to modern skills.
When I took over the solutions engineering team in a previous job, it was just me and one other person. Over time, I grew that team into 12 people spread across the globe—the top-performing team in the company.
The people were already talented and passionate, but what I enjoyed most was helping nurture their growth. That investment paid dividends in productivity, team happiness, and results. And that’s exactly what I can do for your organization.
Across my career, I’ve helped launch geospatial products, built open-source projects, and worked alongside some of the world’s best data teams. But the common thread has always been enabling people to grow—sharing what I’ve learned, the mistakes I’ve made, and the tools that actually work.
That’s why I built the Spatial Lab, the Modern GIS Accelerator, and the AI Co-Pilot for GIS. Together, these programs give your staff the clarity, projects, and support they need to operate at the top 5% of the profession—so your team isn’t just keeping up, they’re setting the pace.
My goal is simple: when you look back a year from now, you’ll see a stronger, more capable team delivering faster, solving harder problems, and driving real results—and you’ll know this was the moment everything changed.
Let’s build what’s next—together.
Need more info?
Book a call.
Need help deciding what is right for your team? Book a discovery call so I can help you make the right choice.
Cut the noise. Keep the edge.
We've got answers
Common questions you might be having
Not at all. Each program is designed to meet learners where they are. The AI Co-Pilot starts with simple, everyday GIS workflows. The Modern GIS Accelerator provides a guided ramp from desktop to cloud-native. The Spatial Lab offers ongoing support across beginner, intermediate, and advanced tracks—so every staff member can progress at the right pace.
We know bandwidth is limited. That’s why everything is designed to fit into busy schedules:
AI Co-Pilot can be completed in a weekend and immediately saves hours every week.
The Modern GIS Accelerator takes 2–4 weeks and focuses only on the skills that matter.
The Spatial Lab provides asynchronous courses, recorded events, and project templates, so staff can dip in when time allows while still building momentum.
Yes. Teams that adopt these programs report measurable ROI:
30–50% faster project turnaround times through automation and modern pipelines
Reduced licensing costs by using cloud-native, open-source workflows
Faster hiring cycles, with direct access to certified graduates already trained in modern GIS
This isn’t just learning for learning’s sake—it’s designed to translate directly into business outcomes.
Consider the math: one Accelerator seat at $399 pays for itself if an employee saves just 7 hours of manual GIS work. The Spatial Lab at $499/year costs less than a single software license, yet delivers skills that reduce vendor lock-in and boost retention. When bundled, employers often see 10x–30x ROI within the first year.
The Spatial Lab is intentionally designed to support different learning styles. Introverts can focus on self-paced projects and on-demand materials, while extroverts can join live events and peer cohorts. Every team also gets access to dedicated private spaces (Scale + Lead tiers), so staff can collaborate internally while still benefiting from the broader network.
FAQs
Questions? We're glad you asked
Everything inside our programs is something your staff could try to learn on their own. The difference here is focus, structure, and momentum—without endless searching, second-guessing, or going it alone.
The value isn’t just in the content. It’s in the curation, community, and clarity that help your team grow faster, deliver more confidently, and bring real ROI to your organization.
And if you have questions, we’d be glad to walk through what’s best for your team.
We offer three ways to upskill your team: the Spatial Lab (continuous development + community), the Modern GIS Accelerator (fast-track into cloud-native GIS), and the AI Co-Pilot for GIS (systematized AI productivity).
Courses teach content. These programs deliver skills that stick through projects, feedback, and community support—so your team doesn’t just “watch videos,” they change how they work day to day.
Yes. We support a range of skill levels—from GIS technicians just starting to automate workflows, to analysts transitioning into cloud-native pipelines, to leaders preparing staff for AI adoption.
If you’re brand new to GIS, this might feel a bit advanced. But if you’ve got experience and ambition, we’re here for it.
We designed everything to fit into busy schedules. Programs are modular, with asynchronous resources and quick wins. For example, AI Co-Pilot can be completed in a weekend, while the Accelerator runs in 2–4 weeks.
No problem. Materials are recorded and on-demand. Teams can revisit projects, use templates, and learn at their own pace without losing momentum.
Once you purchase seats, your team will receive accounts to access the programs. We’ll set up any private spaces, schedule onboarding if needed, and get your staff learning right away.
Spatial Lab: $199–$1,799 per seat annually, depending on tier
Modern GIS Accelerator: $399 per seat (one-time)
AI Co-Pilot for GIS: $49 per seat (one-time)
With discounts starting at just 2 seats, most employers see ROI within weeks.
Discounts are included for annual plans in the Spatial Lab and for volume seat purchases.
Yes—most employers categorize this under professional development or training budgets. We can provide invoices or documentation for HR/procurement.
You will get an email from me with instructions to get your team set up. Then, your team receives logins, access to the community, and the first set of resources immediately. For Scale/Lead memberships, we’ll coordinate your private team space and any coaching sessions.
Reach out directly—we’ll walk through the details, help you choose the right mix of programs, and make sure it fits your goals.