AI Training Academy
Dedicated AI training tracks for every level, from first exposure to applied professional use.
Workshops, bootcamps, cohort tracks
From January 2027
Programs
One institute, three pillars, one portfolio.
Everything GISD does belongs to one of three pillars, and each pillar is designed to reinforce the others. Education builds capability, community engagement builds networks, and economic advancement turns both into lasting opportunity.
Pillar 01
Education and skills development.
AI for Mission
Our nonprofit AI initiative: readiness accelerator, staff training, and executive briefings for nonprofit organizations.
Organizational cohorts and workshops
Pilot from FY2027
Professional certificate programs
Cohort-based certificates combining hard skills, software fluency, and embedded AI practice. The first is the Certified Administrative Specialist with AI.
10-session cohorts, virtual or hybrid
4 cohorts in FY2027
Project Management Fundamentals
Agile and Waterfall methodologies and industry tools; prepares for entry-level PM roles or CAPM.
8-week course with capstone
FY2027
Digital Literacy and Productivity Platforms
Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoom, Slack, and cloud collaboration, for beginners.
Modular workshops
FY2027
Freelancing and Independent Contractor Readiness
Platform profiles, client acquisition, contracts, invoicing, and self-employment tax compliance.
Workshop series
FY2027
Career Readiness and Job Search
Resume, LinkedIn, interviews, and the U.S. job search.
Standalone or embedded module
Ongoing
Flagship certificate
GISD Career Accelerator: Certified Administrative Specialist and AI Hands-On Training.
- 10 live instructor-led sessions: 8 training plus 2 coaching.
- Certificate and reference letter at 75 percent or higher on practical assignments.
- One-month Microsoft 365 license purchased by GISD or a partner organization.
- Graduation and networking event with local employers.
- Partner-hosted cohorts are free to participants.
- Next cohorts: October to November 2026 and January to February 2027.
The ten sessions
- Admin roles, responsibilities and ethics
- Communication, email and scheduling
- Document formatting and file management
- Workflow, task and time management
- Event and meeting planning
- AI tools for research, scheduling and writing
- Resume writing and job search including LinkedIn
- Marketing, freelancing and finance basics
- Coaching, admin practice and feedback
- Coaching, final review and career planning
Who it is for
- Job seekers and career changers
- New immigrants building U.S. experience
- Students and recent graduates
- Virtual assistants and freelancers
- Veterans and transitioning military
- Small business owners who want to use AI to grow
Pillar 02
Community engagement and development.
AI and Employment Forum series and annual conference
Public convenings on AI's effect on work in the region, connecting participants, employers, researchers, and policymakers.
Forums and conference
First forum November 2026
Virginia Nonprofit AI Network
A peer network of nonprofit leaders adopting AI, part of the AI for Mission initiative.
Membership network
Forming FY2027
Community development supports
Capacity support, knowledge sharing, planning support, and partner connections for local organizations.
By engagement
From FY2027
SDGs and local impact dialogues
Structured dialogues connecting global goals to local action, focused on SDG 4, 8, and 10.
Dialogue series
From FY2027
Employer and cross-sector roundtables
Employers, agencies, and educators inform GISD curriculum and research.
Roundtables
February 2027
Immigrant professional network
Connection, credential navigation, and professional community for internationally trained professionals.
Network
From FY2027
Youth and early-career engagement
Programming that brings students and early-career professionals into the institute's work.
Programs and events
From FY2027
Pillar 03
Economic opportunity and advancement.
GISD Research Fellows
Practitioners, scholars, and graduate researchers producing applied research with the institute.
Non-resident fellowship
Pilot cohort FY2027 to FY2028
Policy advocacy and recommendations
Community-informed policy recommendations for local and state decision makers.
Briefs and engagement
From FY2027
Economic Opportunity Map
A data initiative mapping workforce demand, training assets, and opportunity gaps across the region.
Research initiative
Development from FY2027
State of AI in Virginia Nonprofits
An annual study of AI adoption, barriers, and outcomes across the Virginia nonprofit sector.
Annual study
First edition targeted FY2027
Entrepreneurship Readiness Program
Education for aspiring founders: planning, formation, finance basics, and first customers.
Course and workshops
FY2027
Career pathway development and mentorship
Structured pathways from training into employment, with mentors drawn from the institute's networks.
Mentorship program
Mentorship pilot March 2027
Financial capability education
Practical personal finance for workforce participants and new entrepreneurs.
Workshops
FY2027