Partnering with Illinois for America s Networked Future

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1 Partnering with Illinois for America s Networked Future A sustained economic recovery requires a skilled and well-trained workforce. Graduates who have acquired problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, in addition to specific job-related expertise, will be a crucial human resource for the United States in the years ahead. As organizations become increasingly reliant on knowledge workers and intelligent networks, Cisco Networking Academy is helping Illinois prepare for sustainable, high-paying jobs by teaching the skills that employers need. A Leader in Education Innovation Cisco Networking Academy is a transformative, public-private education initiative, preparing today s students for 21st century opportunities via curricula that build knowledge and skills in information communications technology (ICT). After successfully completing the coursework, Networking Academy students are prepared to earn ICT certifications that are valued by employers in diverse industries and public-sector organizations. Courses also prepare students to pursue further education or apply these skills in their own businesses. Networking Academy is recognized worldwide as a leader in education innovation and e-learning. The curricula include instructor-led course content, online learning and skills assessments, hands-on labs, and innovative simulation technology. Core courses include IT Essentials, Cisco CCNA Discovery, CCNA Exploration, and CCNA Security. Students may then enroll in the more advanced Cisco CCNP courses. Cisco Networking Academy has enrolled more than 3 million students since its inception in Each year, Networking Academy delivers 14 courses to more than 810,000 students, in over 9,600 academies worldwide. Networking Academy partners with a broad range of education, government, and nongovernment organizations, offering courses in high schools, community colleges, universities, and nontraditional settings. Cisco is the largest networking company in the world, delivering innovations that transform how people work, live, play, and learn. As of October 31, 2009, approximately 155,571 students were enrolled in 2,425 academies in the United States and Canada. Rapid growth over the past decade has demonstrated the program s versatility in geographic reach, diversity of students, number and variety of partners, breadth and relevance of curriculum, and ability to keep pace with technical and pedagogical advances. Course content is consistent, providing students everywhere with the same knowledge and skill development. The 21st Century Workforce Strengthening instruction for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is a prerequisite to developing a well-trained, 21st century workforce. The Obama administration has announced an education initiative aimed at increasing STEM literacy and critical thinking, improving the quality of STEM teaching, and expanding STEM education and career opportunities with a focus on under-represented groups like women and minorities. Copyright Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 1 of 7

2 Educators have placed considerable emphasis on the science and math components of the STEM curricula. But technology and engineering are equally vital. In particular, ICT investments are expected to play a major role in generating stable, high-paying jobs and boosting the nation s GDP. In addition, a workforce that is well-schooled in ICT and engineering can help spur innovation across many industries, which in turn opens up additional business opportunities to fuel productivity and economic growth. Reaffirming and strengthening America's role as the world's engine of scientific discovery and technological innovation is essential to meeting the challenges of this century. That's why I am committed to making the improvement of STEM education over the next decade a national priority. President Barack Obama, 11/23/09 Networking Academy puts an emphasis on understanding what skills will be required in future job markets. Networking knowledge will be especially important in critical areas such as green technologies, healthcare, smart energy grids, and the push toward universal broadband deployment. Networking Academy utilizes an education infrastructure that ensures curricula will evolve to meet STEM and future learning requirements. State-of-the-Art Learning Environment The instructional approach at Networking Academy encourages student engagement, enhancing the student s ability to synthesize learning and apply it in other contexts. Four skill areas identified by education researchers as critical for 21st century workers have been integrated into the course content: Problem solving and decision making: Students practice and test their knowledge by configuring and troubleshooting networks using hands-on labs and simulation software. Creative and critical thinking: Students understand the how and why of networking by combining hands-on learning with conceptual and analytical exercises. Collaboration, communication, and negotiation: Students acquire teamwork and career-ready skills as they perform lab exercises and engage in business scenarios. Intellectual curiosity and information handling: Coursework helps students develop the ability to find, select, structure, and evaluate information. Real-world case studies give students the opportunity to develop cutting-edge problem-solving techniques. Spotlight on Community Colleges A unique feature of these institutions is their linkage with business and industry, and hence their integration into economic development. Community colleges are working to align their curricula, certifications, and degrees with new ICT jobs through Networking Academy implementations. In the United States, more than 50% of all community colleges offer Networking Academy courses. According to researchers, students today are faced with high tuition costs, a weak economy, and increased competition for admission to four-year colleges. They are more likely than at any other point in history to attend community college. As a result, community colleges have experienced a spike in enrollment. In July 2009, the Obama administration proposed a $12 billion plan called the American Graduation Initiative, aimed at supporting community colleges by funding job training and retraining programs. Copyright Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 2 of 7

3 As an example of how these institutions are responding to the challenge, Moraine Valley Community College in the Chicago area is leading the Center for System Security and Information Assurance (CSSIA), a consortium of seven academic institutions in five states, dedicated to developing and evaluating cyber-security curricula, and offering training programs to community college and university faculty, secondary school faculty, and students across the region. A Cisco Networking Academy training center was established at Moraine in 1998, and academy courses are an integral part of the curricula. CSSIA has developed nine undergraduate courses, nine graduate courses, and a variety of workshops that can be used as models by other institutions. The Data Behind the Demand Tables 1 and 2 outline the growth and projected demand for ICT-related careers in the nation overall, and in the state of Illinois. Table 1. Projection of Select ICT Occupations in the United States 1 Occupation Employment Employment Change Average Annual Number % Openings Occupational Employment as of May Computer Support Specialists 552, ,000 71, , ,520 Computer Systems Analysts 504, , , , ,890 Network and Computer Systems Administrators Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts Computer and Information Systems Managers 309, ,000 83, , , , , , , , , ,000 43, , ,820 Table 2. Projection of Select ICT Occupations in Illinois 3 Occupation Employment Employment Change Average Annual Number % Openings Occupational Employment as of May Computer Support Specialists 21,478 25, ,300 Computer Systems Analysts 19,161 26, ,460 Network and Computer Systems Administrators Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts Computer and Information Systems Managers 12,804 16, , , ,150 12,756 15, ,120 1 Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based on data available on of Oct 31, Source: U.S. DoL, BLS, May 2008 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, 3 Source: U.S. DoL, BLS, Projections Central, Copyright Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 3 of 7

4 The Impact in Illinois The partnership between Cisco Networking Academy and Illinois has touched the lives of 28,892 students and generated an estimated contribution valued at $14,701,283 to education in the state. Tables 3-4 provide detailed information on the current academies, curricula, and education levels in the state. Table 3. Cisco Networking Academy in Illinois 1 Students 6,625 Female students 13% Distinct cumulative students (having successfully completed at least one course) 28,892 Academies 78 Instructors 167 Education Level (students/academies at more than one ed level are distributed proportionately) Secondary Schools Community Colleges Universities Other 2 Students 25% 47% 24% 4% Academies 39% 40% 19% 2% Curricula 3 (students/academies that take/teach multiple curricula are counted more than once) ITE CCNA 1, 2 CCNA 3, 4 Advanced Technologies/ Other 4 Students 28% 70% 24% 9% Academies 36% 82% 62% 31% Contribution value 5 (estimated cumulative value to academies, including donations and discounts) $14,701,283 1 Source: MRE FULL Package of Quarterly Metrics_ _v1.xls 2 Includes community-based organizations, middle schools, military, nontraditional educational settings, and post-graduate institutions 3 Source: MRE reports 4075_MASTER P51_v2_with Country Totals.xlsx 4 Includes CCNA Security, CCNP, Security, Wireless, IP Telephony, Java, UNIX and Panduit Network Infrastructure Essentials (PNIE) 5 Source: MRE report MASTER IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION for USCAN as of _v1.xlsx Table 4. Active Academies in Illinois 6 Active academies are defined as those that have taught a class with at least 3 distinct student assessments, or adopted a new curriculum, within the last 12 months. Number of Districts With Networking Academies Without Networking Academies % Penetration % Congressional District 1 Chicago State University (Chicago) Eisenhower High School (Blue Island) IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (Alsip) Shepard High School (Palos Heights) Congressional District 2 Governors State University (University Park) New Generational Academy (South Holland) *South Suburban College - Business & Career Instit (South Holland) Westwood College Calumet City (Calumet City) Congressional District 3 Argo Community High School (Summit) Brother Rice High School (Chicago) CSSIA NSF Local (Palos Hills) *Moraine Valley Community College (Palos Hills) Oak Lawn Community High School (Oak Lawn) Copyright Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 4 of 7

5 Queen of Peace High School (Burbank) Reavis High School (Burbank) Richard J. Daley College (Chicago) Richards High School (Oak Lawn) Saint Xavier University (Chicago) Congressional District 6 *College of Dupage (Glen Ellyn) Robert Morris University O'Hare (Bensenville) Rolling Meadows High School (Rolling Meadows) Congressional District 7 International Academy of Design and Technology (ACC) (Chicago) Jones College Prep High School (Chicago) *Robert Morris University Chicago (Chicago) University of Illinois (UIC) at Chicago Cisco Academy (Chicago) Westwood College Chicago CHI (ACC) (Chicago) Congressional District 8 College of Lake County (Grayslake) Lake County High School Technology Campus (Grayslake) Robert Morris University Lake County (Waukegan) Roosevelt University (Schaumburg) Congressional District 9 Harry S. Truman College (Chicago) Oakton Community College (Skokie) Westwood College Chicago CHO (ACC) (Chicago) Congressional District 10 Harper College (Palatine) John Hersey High School (Arlington Heights) Congressional District 11 DeVry University, Chicago Metro (ACC) (Tinley Park) Grundy Area Vocational Center (Morris) *Heartland Community College (Normal) Joliet Junior College CIOS Department (Joliet) Congressional District 12 Collinsville Area Vocational Center (Collinsville) Murphysboro High School (Murphysboro) *Southwestern Illinois College (Granite City) Congressional District 13 Carl Sandburg HS (Orland Park) DuPage County Joint Apprenticeship and Training Co (Warrenville) Robert Morris University Dupage (Aurora) Robert Morris University Orland Park (Orland Park) Westwood College Woodridge/Dupage CHD (ACC) (Woodridge) Congressional District 14 *Sauk Valley Community College (Dixon) Congressional District 15 Bloomington ACC (Bloomington) Danville Area Community College (Danville) Hoopeston Area High School (Hoopeston) Lakeland College (Mattoon) Livingston Area Vocational Center (Pontiac) Congressional District 16 Guilford High School (Rockford) Harlem High School (Machesney Park) Kishwaukee College Cisco Networking Academy (Malta) *Rock Valley College (Rockford) Stillman Valley High School (Stillman Valley) Congressional District 17 Black Hawk College (Moline) Carl Sandburg College (Galesburg) Decatur Area Technical Academy Cisco Academy (Decatur) John Wood Community College Academy (Quincy) Pana High (Pana) * University of Illinois Springfield (Springfield) Congressional District 18 *Illinois Central College (East Peoria) Pekin Community High School (Pekin) Richland Community College (Decatur) Robert Morris College Peoria (Peoria) Robert Morris University Springfield (Springfield) Tremont High School (Tremont) Woodruff High School (Peoria) Congressional District 19 Capital Area Career Center Cisco Academy (Springfield) Kaskaskia College (Centralia) Lincoln Land Community College (Springfield) Mater Dei High School (Breese) *Rend Lake College (Ina) Rochester High School (Rochester) Southeastern Illinois College (Harrisburg) * Indicates Cisco Networking Academy Training Center 6 Source: MRE/Academy Connection, Congressional_Report_VLOOKUP_December_08_2009_Final_ch1.xlsx Copyright Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 5 of 7

6 Student and Community Impact Derek Murray stepped into the Cisco Certified CCNA class at the University of Illinois-Springfield (UIS) eager to see what networking was all about. As a result of his experience in Cisco Networking Academy, he grew personally, fostered peer relationships, left a positive impact on his university program, and impacted his community through his volunteer work. In 2006, Derek completed the Cisco CCNA courses and obtained his CCNA certification. He graduated from UIS with a bachelor's degree in computer science. Currently, Derek works full time at State Farm Insurance as a statistical modeler systems analyst. As a result of his experience in Cisco Networking Academy, Derek grew personally, fostered peer relationships, left a positive impact on his university program, and impacted his community through his volunteer work. Derek s interest in technology began at age ten when he received a used computer from an uncle. He was curious to learn how the machine worked, and before long he learned how to program the computer himself. When a dial-up ISP came to his hometown, Derek was one of the first customers to sign up and enjoy the Internet. Most of Derek s early technical skills came from troubleshooting as he tried to connect to unreliable dial-up networks and debug simple programs. He later used this experience to help out in his junior high computer lab when the school hosted open lab nights to provide Internet access to the community. In addition, Derek taught basic computer skills. This solidified his interest in IT as he realized the benefit of helping people do their work more efficiently. In 2005, while in college, Derek enrolled in Cisco CCNA courses. "He demonstrated highlevel, critical thinking skills, grasped new ideas quickly, and produced high quality work, says Janis Rose, academy instructor at UIS. Derek exemplified the ideals of Cisco Networking Academy and often offered to explain difficult concepts to help his classmates better grasp the content. Derek took advantage of every opportunity to advance his job and interpersonal skills, attending seminars on resume building, interviewing techniques, and business etiquette. He completed the Cisco CCNA courses in 2006 and obtained his CCNA certification. That same year, he was featured with another student as the first from UIS to be admitted into the State Farm Summer Internship Program and was invited to interview for full time employment at State Farm upon his graduation. Derek s outstanding work helped pave the way for a recruiting relationship between the UIS Computer Science Department and State Farm. In addition to his studies, Derek dedicates his time giving back to his community. Building on his interest in networking, Derek spends some of his free time volunteering at the Computer Banc where he refurbishes donated computers for financially challenged families with children in grade school. "Seeing the faces of the families and children who receive these computers is very rewarding for me and makes me thankful to be able to help out in some sort of way. I remember when I was first given a computer Copyright Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 6 of 7

7 and the impact it made in my life. Hopefully, I can share some of my time, talent, and fortune with others so that they can go on to a better life," says Derek. Derek was featured with another student as the first from UIS to be admitted into the State Farm Summer Internship Program and was invited to interview for full time employment at State Farm upon his graduation. Derek s outstanding work helped pave the way for a recruiting relationship between the UIS Computer Science Department and State Farm. Derek s current role at State Farm Insurance includes designing and writing computer applications for actuaries. Beginning in fall 2008, he intends to pursue a graduate degree in computer science and obtain additional certifications for Cisco IP Telephony and network information security. Learn More For additional information, impact stories, and Cisco Networking Academy contacts in your area, visit our website: Copyright Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 7 of 7