Program Introduction and Background

Introduction
Cisco Systems, Inc., the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, believes the Internet is changing the way people work, live, play, and learn. In the education space, Cisco's vision is to enable the creation of e-learning environments that transform the way people learn. One example is the Cisco Networking Academy Program, a comprehensive e-learning program that provides students with the Internet technology skills essential in a global economy. The Networking Academy program delivers web-based content, online assessment, student performance tracking, hands-on labs, instructor training and support, and preparation for industry standard certifications.

History
In 1993, Cisco embarked on an initiative to design practical, cost-effective networks for schools. It quickly became clear that designing and installing the networks was not enough. Schools also needed a way to maintain the networks, and the school personnel lacked time and resources. A dedicated Cisco engineer began teaching students how to maintain the networks. Schools across the United States asked for similar programs, and in response, Cisco developed a curriculum offered to students as an elective, which became the foundation for the Networking Academy program. The program, launched in October 1997, began in 64 educational institutions in seven states: Arizona, California, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, and North Carolina.

The Cisco Networking Academy Program Today
Cisco understands that the Internet enables learning anytime, anywhere for all students, regardless of location, socioeconomic status, gender, and race. The Networking Academy program is, therefore, committed to making this opportunity available to everyone. It partners with organizations around the world, such as the United Nations Development Program and the World Bank Group to bring this opportunity to students in underserved communities throughout the world. These include Least Developed Countries, U.S. federally designated Empowerment Zones, and Minority-Serving Institutions, which suffer from pervasive poverty and economic distress. Our goal is to enable, where possible, the education of tomorrow's workers as they help build the economies of their countries and communities.

The Networking Academy program also reaches out to students in less traditional learning institutions, including rehabilitation facilities, military bases, workforce retraining centers, and homeless shelters.

The Academy curriculum offers a variety of IT courses in addition to the flagship course on designing, maintaining, and building networks in preparation for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification. Advanced networking is available through the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) curriculum, and since January, 2001, Cisco's course offerings have expanded to include curricula sponsored by our ecosystem partners. The courses are: Fundamentals of Web Design, sponsored by Adobe Systems; IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software and IT Essentials: Network Operating Systems, sponsored by Hewlett-Packard; Fundamentals of Voice and Data Cabling, sponsored by Panduit; and Fundamentals of UNIX and Fundamentals of Java, sponsored by Sun Microsystems.

Innovative E-learning
Like Cisco Systems, the Networking Academy program prides itself on continually raising the bar in its execution. In this program, our focus is on innovative e-learning and the educational process as a whole.

Collaboration among the Educating Institutions
The Academy program has a three-tiered model for training and support. Cisco Systems trains the Cisco Academy Training Centers (CATCs), the CATCs train Regional Academies, and the Regional Academies train the Local Academy instructors who then educate the students.

Online Assessments, Personalized Learning
The Networking Academy program builds accountability into the learning process through online assessments and personalized feedback. This enables students, instructors, and program administrators to clearly understand students' strengths and areas for growth. In this focused learning environment, education can be tailored to meet student capabilities through enhanced curricula and targeted continuing education events.

Workforce Development
As part of the well-rounded curriculum, Networking Academy students can extend cla***oom learning to real work experience through opportunities, such as student internships and job shadowing. Qualified students can be matched to appropriate openings offered by employers in their region.

Alumni Career Center
In 2001, the Cisco Networking Academy Program launched the Alumni Program to its students and graduates who have successfully completed one or more courses of the Academy curriculum and are 18 years of age or older. Through the Alumni Connection web site, Academy alumni can participate in a global community that offers resources and tools for career development.

Partnering to Address the IT Skills Shortfall
Training the workforce of tomorrow is more critical than ever. According to a recent IDC study, the skills gap around the world is expected to grow. In North America, the gap is increasing at a rate of 10%; in Asia Pacific, it is increasing at an astounding 48%; and in Latin America, it is increasing at a compounded rate of over 20% per year for a total shortfall of nearly 750,000 IT workers in 2003.

The Networking Academy program relies on its partnerships with businesses, governments, and community organizations around the world in its efforts to meet the increasing needs of today's Internet economy and to provide today's students with the Internet