New Brunswick. Technology Education Prepares and Inspires Students

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1 Corporate Social Responsibility Cisco Networking Academy Technology Education Prepares and Inspires Students The world is constantly innovating, encouraging technology to progress at a rapid pace. Every individual, organization and government grows increasingly reliant on intelligent networks and technology-adept workers. Cisco Networking Academy provides coursework that teaches students the skills to satisfy employer requirements and attain success in their careers. Students learn to design, manage and secure computer networks within a structure that also develops leadership and collaboration skills. Courses are taught in education institutions with classroom instruction, online material, interactive simulations, and hands-on practice. Over 1 million students are actively enrolled in Networking Academy courses at more than 10,000 education institutions in 165 countries. They will be among the future innovators impacting the world. The impact in 669 Students taught in ,471 Students since inception 13 Organizations offering Cisco ICT courses 26 Instructors preparing the ICT workforce 1.5 Million Estimated in-kind contribution to education you + networks = impact 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 7

2 Tomorrow s Technology is Here Today For a competitive and sustainable economy, Canada must have a skilled and welltrained workforce that can meet current and evolving industry needs. Students must acquire problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, in addition to job-related expertise, to reach their full potential in their careers. The growth of global networks has resulted in a shortage of people qualified to manage the information infrastructure needed to operate, manufacture, support communications, and even save lives. Every business, school, hospital, nonprofit, and other organization that relies on intelligent networks needs trained professionals to keep them running and secure. A workforce that is well-schooled in ICT and engineering can spur innovation across many industries, which in turn inspires new opportunities to fuel productivity and economic growth. ICT investments play a major role in generating stable, highpaying jobs and boosting the nation s GDP. An Innovative Program that Supports Education Standards Cisco Networking Academy is a technology education program that partners with public and private organizations to provide the knowledge and skills required for career-ready students. Students acquire basic-to-advanced ICT and networking expertise. They develop the analysis, teamwork, and efficiency skills that are essential in the 21st century, both in college and in their careers. Networking Academy courses integrate many different national education standards. Students strengthen their understanding of technology, math, science, and engineering concepts, improving success in their advanced studies and preparing for globally-recognized certification exams. Technical and Career-Ready Skills Courses include IT Essentials, Cisco CCNA (Cisco Certified Networking Associate) Routing and Switching, CCNA Security, and Cisco CCNP (Cisco Certified Networking Professional). Supplemental courses cover healthcare ICT, voice, cloud, and more. The instructional approach encourages student engagement, and the ability to synthesize what they learn to apply it in other contexts. Courses integrate four skill areas identified as critical for 21st century professionals: Problem solving and decision making: Students practice and test their knowledge by configuring and troubleshooting networks using hands-on labs and simulation software; real-world scenarios develop advanced problem solving techniques. 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 skills by working on group projects. Intellectual curiosity and information handling: Students develop the ability to locate, select, structure, evaluate, and present information. Courses prepare and motivate students to pursue further education, earn industry certifications, embark on or strengthen a career, and become entrepreneurs Cisco and/or its affiliates. Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 7

3 Comprehensive Curricula and Communities of Support Each course is free to not-for-profit organizations, and provides instructor-led course content, lab exercises, simulation software, skills assessments, case studies, gaming, interactive teaching guides, and grade books. All materials are available to instructors online with 24-hour support. Unique to Networking Academy is our focus on instructor professional development, and the creation of communities to support both instructors and students. Instructors receive training prior to teaching their first class, and free professional development opportunities throughout the year. Cisco hosts peer communities that enable instructors to collaborate and share best practices online and in person. Students have access to skills competitions, and a global network of peers to mentor each other through coursework and exam preparation. ICT Skills in High Demand ICT professionals enjoy a continuously increasing demand because of exponential growth in technology hardware and services. Networking is expected to be one of the fastest growing ICT areas, faster than the average growth for all occupations, as we continue to invest in cloud and mobile networks Employment Predictions % + 22% + 22% + 18% + 18% +22% +14% 443, , , , ,700 All Computer Info Sec Analysts, Computer Comp and Systems Web Developers, Support Info Systems Analysts Network Architects Specialists Managers Network and Computer Systems Architects/Admins 1 Source: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer Occupations All Occupations Top Cisco Certifications by Salary 2 ICT salaries are on the rise, particularly for professionals with specialized training or certification. For example, Cisco network administration knowledge and skills result in a 9% higher salary on average. $74,764 $82,923 $90,457 Additional Cisco certifications are available, including CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CCIE, CCDA, and more. 2 Source: Global Knowledge, 15 Top Paying IT Certs, Cisco and/or its affiliates. Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 7

4 The Impact in The partnership between Cisco and Canadian education institutions has touched the lives of thousands of students and generated a large estimated in-kind contribution towards education. Impact since program inception in ,471 $1.5M Students Estimated In-Kind Contribution Value Impact over the last 12 months % Students Female Students Instructors Academies Education Levels Secondary Schools Community Colleges Universities Other 3 Curricula 4 Basic ICT Basic Networking Intermediate Networking Advanced Networking Students 34% 61% 1% 4% Academies 54% 31% 8% 8% Students 51% 33% 11% 4% 3 Community-based organizations, middle schools, military, nontraditional educational settings, and post-graduate institutions 4 Students that enroll in more than one education level or curriculum in 12 months may be counted more than once Education Organizations Teaching Networking Academy Courses in CITY Bathurst Bathurst Buctouche Fredericton SCHOOL College Communautaire du Nouveau Brunswick - Bathurst École Secondaire Népisiguit Ecole Clement Cormier Leo Hayes High School Community College - Moncton Dept of Education Miramichi Moncton Oromocto Saint Andrews Saint Stephen Sussex Miramichi Valley High School École l'odyssée Universite de Moncton Oromocto High School Community College - St. Andrews St. Stephen High School Sussex Regional High School Academy Impact Story Cisco and Humber College: Partnering to Help Immigrants Find Success Ontario receives nearly 40 percent of all immigrants to. Despite the desperate shortage of skilled networking engineers in s most populous province, most are unable to find entry into this field. Without the technical certifications or Canadian industry experience that employers require, these skilled immigrants tend to work in positions that require skills below their level of expertise and education, such as sales and service occupations Cisco and/or its affiliates. Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 4 of 7

5 Humber College in Ontario is known for its blend of rigorous academics and practical skills development. Humber developed bridge to employment programs for immigrants, with funding provided by the Government of Ontario and the Government of. In 2011, Danish Khan, an academy instructor, was asked to project manage the Mobile Systems Integration (MSI) Bridging Program, using Cisco Networking Academy courses to help immigrants with technology backgrounds train for the Canadian job market. Our NetAcad program has always had a great reputation with local employers: they have tremendous confidence in the training level our students receive, says Danish. So many skilled technology professionals are forced to take survival jobs when they move to Canada, because their experience doesn t match what Canadian employers want. At Humber, we recognize that the NetAcad program gives us an important foundational piece for helping address this skills gap. The program starts by identifying the existing IT skills of immigrants, and then provides next-level expertise and certification preparation. These are combined with courses on the Canadian workplace culture as well as job search support, a powerful combination designed to overcome employment obstacles for IT newcomers. The Ministry awarded Humber a C$1.3 million three-year grant ( ). Since 2003, Ontario has invested more than C$240 million in Bridge Training Programs, including the MSI program. To date: 74 students graduated and 47 have full-time jobs, or around 64% (cohort 1-3; cohort 4 is still underway). With the help of an advisory committee, which included Cisco, Danish developed a series of 11 courses (600 hours, 28 weeks) incorporating academy coursework from the existing program at Humber. Cisco skills are needed for 9 out of 10 jobs in the region. Because we already had NetAcad at the college, it accelerated our ability to put the new bridge-to-employment program together. We also knew that it would add a lot of weight to our proposal. Focus on proficiency and job placement Local recruiters know that Humber has a reputation for rigorous training programs. A resume can only tell you so much, says Danish, and then you have to rely on the quality of the education associated with a degree. Danish identifies the hands-on lab practice with Cisco equipment as one reason students graduate with such a high degree of skill and confidence. Many immigrants come to with some IT knowledge, but they have had limited access to Cisco equipment and training. Humber has two labs with networking equipment to teach CCNA, CCNA Security, and CCNP Routing. Danish is working on adding a third lab which would be accessible to students remotely from home for simulation and practice. Cisco certifications carry a great deal of weight with prospective employers, says Danish, so we also focus strongly on preparing students to take their certification exams. Even if students start getting calls for an interview before they graduate, which many do, we strongly recommend they complete their certifications. In addition to Cisco, Humber partners with ACCES Employment to provide employability workshops and support to students. After students have been in the MSI program for six months, they receive additional job search support through workshops, including resume writing, interviewing, and even developing soft skills like business etiquette. There is also a business communications workshop that teaches interpersonal skills, negotiation, teamwork, and how to give and receive feedback. This training plays a significant role in helping new Canadians present their 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 5 of 7

6 skills and experience effectively to employers, while ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge of Canadian workplaces to help them transition into their new jobs. Moving from survival to security During its first three years, 74 students have graduated from the MSI Bridging Program. More than half are now working in full-time IT positions. By the time students have gone through the whole NetAcad/MSI curriculum, they have an impressive depth of knowledge, says Danish. As graduates apply their knowledge and acquire certifications, Danish predicts they will rise quickly in their organizations. ACCES Employment assists Humber graduates as they enter their job search, find new jobs, and start to build their careers. Graduates have secured jobs as network administrators, network analysts, technical support specialists, and business analysts. They are working for financial institutions, telecommunications and technology companies, and in the public sector. The average salary is $C40-50K. Our immediate goal is to help immigrants find jobs, but NetAcad and the MSI program are really about building careers and futures. I am very confident that we are helping build richer lives for our new citizens in New Brunswick, and helping the economy of our country prosper with great talent. Alumni Testimonials Prior to arriving in, Domingo de los Santos had been a CIT Engineer for several years. However, Canadian companies weren't willing to give me the opportunity to prove myself in positions I was sure would be a perfect fit based on my past working experience. So he completed the MSI courses at Humber. Hiring managers then had no doubt about my technical skills as I provided them with my transcripts from Humber College. I am amazed at how often I m able to apply the skills I developed and sharpened during the bridging program in my new position. I am responsible for the design and management of the technology roadmap for my company s call centre initiatives. Another alum, Waleed Zahra, was a Network Administrator before he immigrated to Ontario. He was one of the first 100 students to enroll in the MSI program. As soon as he graduated, he interviewed for and secured a position as a Senior IT Technician for a technology company in Ontario. The Cisco training was broader and more advanced than I even hoped for. It gave me higher level skills, like security and virtualization, that are highly marketable to Canadian employers. The program helped open doors that were closed to me before. I still have things to learn, but I have a solid foundation for a great career. I m still in touch with my instructors at Humber, and they are always ready to help me when I have questions. I consider them to be part of my new family and friends here in Cisco and/or its affiliates. Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 6 of 7

7 Cisco Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Cisco CSR efforts are managed across five areas, as illustrated here. Cisco Networking Academy is one of Cisco s CSR Society programs in education. Cisco In-Kind Contribution Value (IKCV) is comprised of product donations and pro bono service capabilities. Cisco assesses IKCV at fair market value, defined by the IRS as the price that inventory, products, or certain professional services would garner on the open market between a company and its direct customers/clients. All Cisco CSR IKCV 12 months (11/1/12-10/31/13) $1,289,132 Since 2007 $2,812,206 Learn More See videos and success stories. Learn how to get involved. cisco.com/go/netacad/usc csr.cisco.com Cisco Corporate Social Responsibility We create opportunities to transform lives, communities, and the environment through the combined power of human collaboration and networked connections. We call this impact multiplied. Together with others, we apply technology to unlock the intelligence and fuel the innovation needed to address some of the world s most pressing problems. Our Corporate Social Responsibility efforts focus on five areas: improving the well-being of people and communities around the world; using our technology to improve environmental sustainability; conducting our business ethically; creating a workplace where our employees thrive; and maintaining our high standards for ethics, labor rights, health, safety, and the environment throughout our supply chain Cisco and/or its affiliates. Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 7 of 7