GBIF has set ambitious targets of records mobilised and discovered. To achieve these targets, an effective infrastructure must be in place, together with appropriate training on some key topics: efficient mobilisation of metadata and names, use of controlled vocabularies, etc.

In the framework of GBIF, metadata provides information about the suppliers of biodiversity data, about the origins and purpose of those data.

Training about metadata will focus on their management and delivery, together with the promotion of their value among data custodians to encourage adequate preparation of metadata, highlighting their key value in the inventory and access of biodiversity data resources (digitised and non-digitised).

It is crucial that the GBIF Network enables access to a range of authoritative taxonomic and nomenclatural names data, via an infrastructure that also enables display, distribution and use of those data. Without such access, it will not be possible to discover and collate information relating to particular species.

This training strategy will tackle the technological and social barriers that impede the mobilisation of names data. It also aims to promote the development and effective use of innovative and useful tools and services, both inside and outside of GBIF.

This three elements are key to ensure the inclusion of semantically rich content into the metadata and other elements of the GBIF network, in a way that structured search is enhanced and data are amenable for machine processing.

This training strategy is tied to the implementation of these elements, and will include activities and materials to promote their adoption.

The Life Science Identifiers (LSIDs) are a Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) system adopted by BIS/TDWG as the GUID system of choice for biodiversity resources. In liaison with those standards organisations, GBIF promotes the development and adoption of LSIDs and other relevant GUIDs.

GBIF has set up a 'LSID-GUID Task Group' to tackle the issue of GUIDs in the framework of GBIF. This training strategy is aimed to help in the deployment worldwide of the LSIDs system, and to implement the recommendations of the named task group.