The main aim of VESTA-GIS is to create a network operating on a comprehensive framework "a clearing house" devoted to combine access to training courses (mostly throughout distant learning facilities and organisation) and mobility opportunities.

The project is then developed according to two parallel objective streams. The first one, the "Training Framework", aims to collect, organise and deliver vocational training content on the GIS technology and tools as well as on their sectoral applications. The trainee should access such tool to check his/her knowledge and to find the most suitable training path to follow according the individuated needs.

This first objective will be achieved, among others, also setting-up a Training Catalogue and an e-Learning distributed Platform, where the relevant courses and other training content available by the network partners are accessible by a course builder, able to guide a motivated choice of the best learning path a trainee should undertake.

To ensure quality and consistence, the courses to be published on the VESTA Platform are selected according to the outcomes of the analysis of the training course offer and demand and adjusted to conform with course metadata.

The second objective stream, the "Mobility Framework" aims to create procedures and a context for promoting people mobility both placements into a working GI environment of new graduates and short visits to increase the sharing of knowledge and the exchange of experiences.

Throughout the on-line course builder of the Training Framework, the network wish to involve procedures for identifying non-formal and informal learning, one of the main objectives of the Copenhagen Declaration and conclusion of the EU council number 9175/04EDUC101 SOC 220.

The target of VESTA-GIS is also an operational training network between experts of Geo-information and GI users in the Application domains with the aim of favouring/stimulating the involvement of sectoral stakeholders both as course-providers and ways to get a qualified and larger audience. VESTA-GIS is then structured in thematic sub-streams inside the above Training and Mobility Frameworks.

The objective of efficacy of the network and positive impact towards learners is pursued as follows. The trainee will be tutored by a training guide in deploying the VESTA Platform and will be able to study at his own speed and in the moment preferred/possible. The training content will be made up by different supports (lectures, exercises, text books, diagnostic tests, etc) as uploaded in the platform but the project will ensure the compatibility of such content as well as the viability of the decided learning path.

On the side opposite to users, the network pursues for its partners, by offering an e-Learning platform to collect and organise their courses, a better exploitation of their training material and the accumulated teaching experiences.

Being VESTA-GIS an open network the training wish to be addressed both to external trainees and to “internal” trainees from organisations included within the network, so that also the partners can take advantage from the experience of the other ones, compare their knowledge and improve their education in GIS application domains.