Partnering with Arizona for America s Networked Future

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1 Partnering with Arizona 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 Arizona 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 6

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 6

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 Arizona. 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 Arizona 3 Occupation Employment Employment Change Average Annual Number % Openings Occupational Employment as of May Computer Support Specialists 12,827 14, ,620 Computer Systems Analysts , ,040 Network and Computer Systems Administrators Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts Computer and Information Systems Managers , , ,880 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 6

4 The Impact in Arizona The partnership between Cisco Networking Academy and Arizona has touched the lives of 15,209 students and generated an estimated contribution valued at $7,677,588 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 Arizona 1 Students 4,023 Female students 14% Distinct cumulative students (having successfully completed at least one course) 15,209 Academies 39 Instructors 87 Education Level (students/academies at more than one ed level are distributed proportionately) Secondary Schools Community Colleges Universities Other 2 Students 41% 51% 7% 0% Academies 67% 31% 3% 0% 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 46% 54% 14% 3% Academies 64% 74% 49% 15% Contribution value 5 (estimated cumulative value to academies, including donations and discounts) $7,677,588 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 Arizona 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 *Coconino Community College (Flagstaff) Coconino High School (Flagstaff) Gila County Community College Pueblo Campus (Globe) Page High School (Page) Round Valley School District #10 (Springerville) Snowflake High School (Snowflake) Valley High School Academy (Sanders) *Yavapai College (Prescott) Yavapai College/Verde Campus (Clarkdale) Congressional District 2 Centennial H.S. (Peoria) Desert Edge High School (Goodyear) Glendale Community College (Glendale) Millenium High School (Goodyear) Copyright Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 4 of 6

5 Congressional District 3 DeVry University, Phoenix (ACC) (Phoenix) Greenway High School (Phoenix) Paradise Valley High School (Phoenix) Washington High School (Phoenix) Congressional District 4 Gateway Community College (Phoenix) James Sandoval High School (Phoenix) South Mountain Community College (Phoenix) Congressional District 5 Tempe Union High School District #213 - Desert Vis (Phoenix) Tempe Union High School District #213-Tempe High S (Tempe) Congressional District 6 Chandler-Gilbert Community College - Local (Chandler) *Mesa Community College (Mesa) Mesa High School (MPS) (Mesa) Red Mountain High School (MPS) (Mesa) Congressional District 7 Agua Fria High School (Avondale) Amphi High School (Tucson) Estrella Mountain Community College (Avondale) Nogales High School (Nogales) Pima Community College West Campus (Tucson) Sunnyside High School (Tucson) TUSD's Tucson High Magnet School (Tucson) Congressional District 8 Cochise College Fort Huachuca Center (Fort Huachuca) Mountain View High School (Marana USD) (Marana) TUSD's Palo Verde High School (Tucson) TUSD's Rincon High School (Tucson) TUSD's Sahuaro High School (Tucson) TUSD's University High School (Tucson) * Indicates Cisco Networking Academy Training Center 6 Source: MRE/Academy Connection, Congressional_Report_VLOOKUP_December_08_2009_Final_ch1.xlsx Student and Community Impact Dana Yanch came to the U.S. in 2007 from Canada. He had already completed one year of college with a focus on business administration, and had been working for Dell Canada doing network support. He decided to pursue an AAS degree in Network Administration at Mesa Community College s Business Industry Institute. This program includes Cisco Networking Academy courses. So far, Dana has completed four of the Cisco CCNA classes, and the first two Cisco CCNP classes. The instructors here are top notch. They ve all had years of field experience, and are well qualified to teach ICT and networking. The curriculum is designed so that students can take in a vast amount of information without feeling overwhelmed. A chemistry or physics course can scare the heck out of you. But the Networking Academy course material is broken up to really flow well. For anyone with an interest in technology, I recommend taking the first CCNA Discovery course, which really helps make a decision about pursuing this field. I ve met many students who discovered an instant connection with networking during this class, and have stayed in the program ever since. Students have access to massive lab facilities with the newest Cisco equipment. I like the hands-on practice the most. Theory and textbooks are good, but practice is best. Dana tries to do one lab exercise a day to strengthen his skills and critical thinking. He encourages others to do the same, because he believes lab work can be the key to building a clear understanding of complex theories. He also works part-time in the ICT department on campus, implementing some of the newest equipment and administering the NDG NetLab. Copyright Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 5 of 6

6 I love the way technology is constantly changing. I like to stay up-to-date with the newest technology, identifying the best of the best. This industry keeps me on my toes. Dana has already earned the following industry certifications: Cisco CCNA in 2007 Cisco CCNA Voice in 2008 Cisco CCNP in 2009 Cisco CCIE in 2009 He passed the prestigious Cisco CCIE certification, including the 8-hour lab exam, on the first try (the average is three attempts). The Cisco CCIE certification is one of the highest paid and most sought after certifications in the ICT industry, worldwide. Dana s mentors include colleagues in the ICT community. He connects regularly with these, both in person and online, to share problems and solutions. He believes it is very important to make connections like these, even as a student, for support and professional development. Networking among students, faculty, and industry professionals taps into a massive knowledgebase. Dana is quick to thank the faculty and technical staff at Networking Academy for enabling his success. As humble as Dana is, he has become an inspiration for other Networking Academy students, fielding their questions about coursework and certification exams. Dana hopes to enter the ICT field as tier support for a telecommunications or consulting company, implementing and troubleshooting corporate networks. He appreciates the benefit of collaborating with a team, and enjoys working with other network engineers. I have a passion to learn as much as I can about the industry, because there is an entire ocean of material. I want to cross that ocean be an explorer, discovering new things. Voice technology is a great example. It s brand new and absolutely incredible. 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 6 of 6