Partnering with Virginia for America s Networked Future

Partnering with Virginia 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 Virginia 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 1997. 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. www.cisco.com/go/netacad/us-can Copyright 1997 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 1 of 6

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. www.cisco.com/go/netacad/us-can Copyright 1997 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 2 of 6

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 Virginia. Table 1. Projection of Select ICT Occupations in the United States 1 Occupation Employment Employment Change Average Annual 2006 2016 Number % Openings Occupational Employment as of May 2008 2 Computer Support Specialists 552,000 624,000 71,000 21.9 24,000 545,520 Computer Systems Analysts 504,000 650,000 146,000 29 28,000 489,890 Network and Computer Systems Administrators Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts Computer and Information Systems Managers 309,000 393,000 83,000 27 15,000 327,850 262,000 402,000 140,000 53.4 19,000 230,410 264,000 307,000 43,000 16.4 9,000 276,820 Table 2. Projection of Select ICT Occupations in Virginia 3 Occupation Employment Employment Change Average Annual 2006 2016 Number % Openings Occupational Employment as of May 2008 2 Computer Support Specialists 19,191 23,091 3900 20.3 983 18,750 Computer Systems Analysts 33,115 46,838 13,723 41.4 2250 33,590 Network and Computer Systems Administrators Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts Computer and Information Systems Managers 17,596 24,344 6748 38.3 1077 18,550 15,310 25,205 9895 64.6 1302 14,160 10,009 12,662 2653 26.5 427 11,070 1 Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov/emp/emptabapp.htm, based on data available on of Oct 31, 2008 2 Source: U.S. DoL, BLS, May 2008 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, http://stat.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htm 3 Source: U.S. DoL, BLS, Projections Central, www.bls.gov/oco/oco20024.htm www.cisco.com/go/netacad/us-can Copyright 1997 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 3 of 6

The Impact in Virginia The partnership between Cisco Networking Academy and Virginia has touched the lives of 17,875 students and generated an estimated contribution valued at $10,229,418 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 Virginia 1 Students 3,890 Female students 14% Distinct cumulative students (having successfully completed at least one course) 17,875 Academies 66 Instructors 111 Education Level (students/academies at more than one ed level are distributed proportionately) Secondary Schools Community Colleges Universities Other 2 Students 50% 38% 9% 3% Academies 61% 33% 5% 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 32% 65% 23% 3% Academies 42% 82% 59% 17% Contribution value 5 (estimated cumulative value to academies, including donations and discounts) $10,229,418 1 Source: MRE report Academy Briefing Book Details_10 31 09_USCAN with Federal_v5.xlsx (without offshore DoDDs) 2 Includes community-based organizations, middle schools, military, nontraditional educational settings, and post-graduate institutions 3 Source: MRE report MASTER P51_v3_with Country Totals.xlsx (without offshore DoDDs) 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 10.31.09_v1.xlsx (without offshore DoDDs) Table 4. Active Academies in Virginia 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 11 11 0 100% Congressional District 1 Brooke Point High School (Stafford) DODEA/USA - Quantico High School (Quantico) ECPI Newport News (ACC) (Newport News) Fredericksburg City Schools (Fredericksburg) *Germanna Community College (Fredericksburg) Spotsylvania High Schools (Spotsylvania) *Thomas Nelson Community College (Hampton) Congressional District 2 ECPI Virginia Beach (ACC) (Virginia Beach) Special Sessions (Virginia Beach) *Tidewater Community College VB (Virginia Beach) VA Beach Schools (Virginia Beach) Congressional District 3 Aviation Academy (Newport News) Norfolk State University (Norfolk) www.cisco.com/go/netacad/us-can Copyright 1997 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 4 of 6

Norfolk Technical Vocational Center (Norfolk) Phoebus High School (Hampton) Congressional District 4 *Chesterfield County Public Schools - Regional (Chesterfield) Chesterfield Technical Center (Chesterfield) Matoaca High School (Chesterfield) Paul D. Camp Community College (Franklin) Tidewater Community College, Chesapeake (Chesapeake) Congressional District 5 Bedford Science & Technology Center (Bedford) Campbell County Tech Center (Rustburg) *Danville Community College (Danville) Geo. Washington High School (Danville) Congressional District 6 *Central Virginia Community College (Lynchburg) Heritage High School (Lynchburg) Massanutten Technical Center (Harrisonburg) Roanoke Technical Education Center (Roanoke) Triplett Business and Technical Institute (Mount Jackson) Valley Vocational Technical School (Fishersville) *Virginia Western Community College (Roanoke) Congressional District 7 Easternview High School (Culpeper) James River High School (Midlothian) John Tyler Community College (Midlothian) Congressional District 8 DeVry University, Washington DC (ACC) (Arlington) DODDS HQ (Arlington) Marshall Academy (Falls Church) Northern Virginia Community College Alexandria Campus (Alexandria) TC Williams High School (Alexandria) Congressional District 9 Buchanan County Technical and Career Center (Grundy) Dabney S. Lancaster Community College (Clifton Forge) Dickenson County Career Center (Clinchco) Honaker High School (Honaker) Lebanon High School (Lebanon) Lee County Career and Technical School (Ben Hur) Mountain Empire Community College (Big Stone Gap) Neff Center For Science & Technology (Abingdon) Scott County (Gate City) *Southwest Virginia Community College - Regional (Richlands) Virginia High School (Bristol) Washington County Technical School (Abingdon) Wise County Vocational Center (Wise) Wytheville Community College (Wytheville) Congressional District 10 Chantilly Academy (Chantilly) Monroe Technology Center (Leesburg) Northern Virginia Community College Manassas Campus (Manassas) Osbourn High School (Manassas) Warren County High School (Front Royal) Congressional District 11 Battlefield High School - VA (Haymarket) Forest Park High School (Woodbridge) *George Mason University - Regional (Fairfax) Northern Virginia Community College - Annandale Campus (Annandale) Northern Virginia Community College - Woodbridge Campus (Woodbridge) * Indicates Cisco Networking Academy Training Center 6 Source: MRE/Academy Connection, Congressional_Report_VLOOKUP_December_08_2009_Final_ch1.xlsx Student and Community Impact Cory Gray didn t even own a computer when he enrolled in Cisco CCNA courses at the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Advanced Technology Center (ATC). Today he currently holds the prestigious Cisco CCIE certification. I had already taken a lot of credits by my junior year in high school and I wanted to do something useful, rather than sit through a class just to pass the time. I wanted to learn something new. I heard about Networking Academy courses when they were first offered at ATC, and it sounded interesting. Cory s dad supported his new interest and bought him his first computer so he could log in to class remotely from home. He was very supportive of Cory, and was proud that he was taking the initiative to pursue www.cisco.com/go/netacad/us-can Copyright 1997 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 5 of 6

something that would provide a good career. My dad saw that I had a passion for technology and he wanted to help me succeed. Cory enjoyed the fact he could walk into the classroom each day not knowing something, and then within two and a half hours he would understand a completely new concept. I liked the self-paced atmosphere and dynamic learning environment. During his senior year, Cory was hired as an intern (along with two fellow students) at Savant Limited, to help network local businesses. He interned for six months while finishing his Cisco CCNA courses. After graduation, Cory was hired full-time at Savant. Currently, he works for Conquest Technologies in their Total Implementation Services department. When a customer requests implementation of Cisco technologies, they call on Cory for advanced services. Cory is also an active member of the Virginia Beach Public School s advisory group, and is heavily involved in the high school s Senior Project Case Study. Once a month, he talks to Networking Academy students and has helped several students find jobs at his company. Cory Gray (middle) receives the ATC Volunteer of the Year Award from John Nelson, Cisco Networking Academy instructor (left), and Michael D. Taylor, ATC Director (right). My company sees a lot of value in hiring folks who are Cisco trained. I help to identify academy students as potential employees. The ATC recently gave Cory Gray their Volunteer of the Year award. The students see him as a role model because of his professional behavior, his Cisco CCIE certification, and the success he has obtained in his career. Less than 3% of Cisco certified professionals earn a CCIE. Learn More For additional information, impact stories, and Cisco Networking Academy contacts in your area, visit our website: www.cisco.com/go/netacad/us-can www.cisco.com/go/netacad/us-can Copyright 1997 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 6 of 6