Partnering for Canada's Networked Future

Partnering for Canada’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 Canada in the years ahead.

As organizations become increasingly reliant on knowledge workers and intelligent networks, Cisco® Networking Academy® is helping Canada 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 Cisco Networking Academy has initiative, preparing today’s students for 21st century opportunities via enrolled more than 3 million curricula that build knowledge and skills in information communications students since its inception in technology (ICT). 1997.

After successfully completing the coursework, Networking Academy Each year, Networking Academy students are prepared to earn ICT certifications that are valued by delivers 14 courses to more than 810,000 students, in over 9,600 employers in diverse industries as well as public sector organizations. academies worldwide. Courses also prepare students to pursue further education or apply these skills in their own businesses. Networking Academy partners with a broad range of education, Networking Academy is recognized worldwide as a leader in education government, and nongovernment innovation and e-learning. The curricula include instructor-led course organizations, offering courses content, online learning and skills assessments, hands-on labs, and in high schools, community col- innovative simulation technology. leges, universities, and nontraditional settings. ® Core courses include IT Essentials, Cisco CCNA Discovery, CCNA Cisco is the largest networking Exploration, and CCNA Security. Students may then enroll in the more company in the world, delivering ® advanced Cisco CCNP courses. 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 curricula, 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 (also recognized internationally as STEM) is a prerequisite to developing a well-trained, 21st century workforce. Canada’s government is investing over $7 billion in its commitment to science and technology through 2011, with more than $3 billion dedicated to science and technology education to support the nation’s capacity for future innovation.

Educators have placed considerable emphasis on science and math 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.

According to Prime Minister Harper, a key to building a stronger economy for Canada is to create high quality jobs in the science and technology sectors. The foundation for those jobs, and for many ICT-related positions in other sectors, can be gained at Cisco Networking Academy.

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, certificates and diplomas with new ICT jobs through Networking Academy implementations.

According to researchers, students today are faced with high tuition costs, a weak economy, and increased competition for admission to college. They are more likely than at any other point in history to attend community college. As a result, these colleges have experienced a spike in enrollment.

The Data Behind the Demand

Table 1. Projection of Select ICT Occupations in Canada1

Employment Estimated Total Hiring Occupation 2008 2015 Requirements, 2008–2015

Computer Network Technicians 48,782 50,876 8,548

Computer and Information Systems Managers 45,822 50,734 12,819

Information Systems Analysts and Consultants 144,686 160,533 39,059

User Support Technicians 64,896 80,428 22,750

Telecommunication Carrier Managers 10,433 11,482 2,984

1 Source: ICTC, www.ictc-ctic.ca/uploadedFiles/Labour_Market_Intelligence/The_Outlook_2012_-_2015/ICTC_Outlook_2008-2015_final_accurate(1).pdf

The Impact in Canada The partnership between Cisco Networking Academy and Canada has touched the lives of 62,537 students and generated an estimated contribution valued at $31,166,606 to education in Canada.

Table 2. Cisco Networking Academy in Canada1

Students 18,034

Female students 9%

Distinct cumulative students (having successfully completed at least one course) 62,537

Academies 244

Instructors 508

Education Level Secondary Community 2 (students/academies at more than one ed level Universities Other Schools Colleges are distributed proportionately)

Students 28% 51% 19% 2%

Academies 53% 35% 9% 2%

Curricula3 Advanced (students/academies that take/teach multiple ITE CCNA 1, 2 CCNA 3, 4 Technologies/ curricula are counted more than once) Other4

Students 25% 69% 21% 7%

Academies 53% 69% 48% 19%

Contribution value5 (estimated cumulative value to academies, including donations and discounts, in $US) $31,166,606

1 Source: MRE FULL Package of Quarterly Metrics_10.31.09_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 10.31.09_v1.xlsx

Table 3. Active Academies in Canada1 by Western, Central and Eastern Regions 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 Western Canada Academies Number of Central Canada Academies Number of Eastern Canada Academies (BC, AB, MB, SK, NT) (ON) (QC, NB, NS, PE, NL)

67 79 98

1 Source: MRE/Academy Connection, U.S. Congressional District Database Date: Oct 31, 2009

Learn More For additional information, impact stories, and Cisco Networking Academy contacts in your area, visit our website: www.cisco.com/go/netacad/canada

Western Canada British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories

Table 4. Projection of Select ICT Occupations in British Columbia1

Estimated Total Hiring Requirements Occupation 2008–2015

Computer Network Technicians 957

Computer and Information Systems Managers 1,421

Information Systems Analysts and Consultants 4,054

User Support Technicians 2,485

Telecommunication Carrier Managers 307

1 Source: ICTC, www.ictc-ctic.ca/uploadedFiles/Labour_Market_Intelligence/The_Outlook_2012_-_2015/ICTC_Outlook_2008-2015_final_accurate(1).pdf

Table 5. Cisco Networking Academy in British Columbia1

Students 1,739

Female students 9%

Distinct cumulative students (having successfully completed at least one course) 7,088

Academies 24

Instructors 43

Education Level Secondary Community 2 (students/academies at more than one ed level Universities Other Schools Colleges are distributed proportionately)

Students 32% 46% 23% 0%

Academies 58% 25% 17% 0%

Curricula3 Advanced (students/academies that take/teach multiple ITE CCNA 1, 2 CCNA 3, 4 Technologies/ curricula are counted more than once) Other4

Students 22% 71% 19% 13%

Academies 50% 83% 54% 17%

Contribution value5 (estimated cumulative value to academies, including donations and discounts, in $US) $3,836,244

Table 6. Active Academies in British Columbia1 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. *British Columbia Institute of Douglas College Regional (New School District 47 Brooks Secondary Technology (Burnaby) Westminster) School (Powell River) Burnaby South Secondary School Killarney Secondary (Vancouver) Selkirk College (Nelson) (Burnaby) Kwantlen Polytechnic University Spectrum Community School (Victoria) *Camosun College Regional/Local (Surrey) Academy (Victoria) University of the Fraser Valley *Okanagan College (Kelowna) (Abbotsford) Charles Best Sec. (Coquitlam) Pinetree Secondary School Coquitlam) Victor Brodeur (Victoria) Clayton Heights (Surrey) Riverside Secondary School (Port W.J. Mouat Secondary - Regional College of New Caledonia (Prince Coquitlam) (Abbotsford) George) *Sardis Secondary School (Chilliwack) *Winslow Centre (Coquitlam) Delta Secondary School (Ladner) School District #83 (Salmon Arm)

* Indicates Cisco Networking Academy Training Center 1 Source: Canada Active Acads as of 10.31.09_JZ.xlsx

Alberta

Table 7. Projection of Select ICT Occupations in Alberta1

Estimated Total Hiring Requirements Occupation 2008–2015

Computer Network Technicians 870

Computer and Information Systems Managers 1,248

Information Systems Analysts and Consultants 4,010

User Support Technicians 2,307

Telecommunication Carrier Managers 272

1 Source: ICTC, www.ictc-ctic.ca/uploadedFiles/Labour_Market_Intelligence/The_Outlook_2012_-_2015/ICTC_Outlook_2008-2015_final_accurate(1).pdf

Table 8. Cisco Networking Academy in Alberta1

Students 1,136

Female students 13%

Distinct cumulative students (having successfully completed at least one course) 3,965

Academies 14

Instructors 37

Education Level Secondary Community 2 (students/academies at more than one ed level Universities Other Schools Colleges are distributed proportionately)

Students 15% 76% 5% 4%

Academies 71% 14% 7% 7%

Curricula3 Advanced (students/academies that take/teach multiple ITE CCNA 1, 2 CCNA 3, 4 Technologies/ curricula are counted more than once) Other4

Students 18% 66% 33% 14%

Academies 93% 29% 21% 14%

Contribution value5 (estimated cumulative value to academies, including donations and discounts, in $US) $2,013,560

Table 9. Active Academies in Alberta1 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.

Ernest Manning High School (Calgary) Rocky View School Division (Airdrie) Barrhead Composite High School (Barrhead) Forest Lawn High School (Calgary) *Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) - CATC (Calgary) Bev Facey High School (Sherwood Medicine Hat High School (Medicine Park) Hat) Strathmore High School (Strathmore) Catholic Central HS (Lethbridge) *Northern Alberta Institute of Three Hills School (Three Hills) Technology(NAIT) (Edmonton) Centennial High School (Calgary) Old Scona Academic Senior High DeVry Institute of Technology, Calgary School (Edmonton) (ACC) (Calgary)

* Indicates Cisco Networking Academy Training Center 1 Source: Canada Active Acads as of 10.31.09_JZ.xlsx

Manitoba

Table 10. Projection of Select ICT Occupations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan (combined)1

Estimated Total Hiring Requirements Occupation 2008–2015

Computer Network Technicians 367

Computer and Information Systems Managers 444

Information Systems Analysts and Consultants 1,317

User Support Technicians 1,205

Telecommunication Carrier Managers 98

1 Source: ICTC, www.ictc-ctic.ca/uploadedFiles/Labour_Market_Intelligence/The_Outlook_2012_-_2015/ICTC_Outlook_2008-2015_final_accurate(1).pdf

Table 11. Cisco Networking Academy in Manitoba1

Students 1,014

Female students 8%

Distinct cumulative students (having successfully completed at least one course) 3,130

Academies 13

Instructors 30

Education Level Secondary Community 2 (students/academies at more than one ed level Universities Other Schools Colleges are distributed proportionately)

Students 40% 57% 0% 4%

Academies 77% 19% 0% 4%

Curricula3 Advanced (students/academies that take/teach multiple ITE CCNA 1, 2 CCNA 3, 4 Technologies/ curricula are counted more than once) Other4

Students 39% 70% 11% 5%

Academies 83% 75% 33% 17%

Contribution value5 (estimated cumulative value to academies, including donations and discounts, in $US) $1,537,889

Table 12. Active Academies in Manitoba1 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.

*Assiniboine Community College Louis Riel Arts & Technology Centre West Kildonan Collegiate Institute (Brandon) (Winnipeg) (Winnipeg) Collège régional Notre-Dame (Notre- Miles MacDonell (Winnipeg) *Winnipeg Technical College Dame-de-Lourdes) (Winnipeg) Neelin High School (Brandon) Frontier Collegiate Cranberry Portage) *Red River College (Winnipeg) Kelvin High School Winnipeg) River East Collegiate Winnipeg) Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School (Selkirk) Tec-Voc High School (Winnipeg)

* Indicates Cisco Networking Academy Training Center 1 Source: Canada Active Acads as of 10.31.09_JZ.xlsx

Saskatchewan

Table 13. Projection of Select ICT Occupations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan (combined)1

Estimated Total Hiring Requirements Occupation 2008–2015

Computer Network Technicians 367

Computer and Information Systems Managers 444

Information Systems Analysts and Consultants 1,317

User Support Technicians 1,205

Telecommunication Carrier Managers 98

1 Source: ICTC, www.ictc-ctic.ca/uploadedFiles/Labour_Market_Intelligence/The_Outlook_2012_-_2015/ICTC_Outlook_2008-2015_final_accurate(1).pdf

Table 14. Cisco Networking Academy in Saskatchewan1

Students 447

Female students 21%

Distinct cumulative students (having successfully completed at least one course) 1,664

Academies 16

Instructors 30

Education Level Secondary Community 2 (students/academies at more than one ed level Universities Other Schools Colleges are distributed proportionately)

Students 45% 55% 0% 0%

Academies 53% 41% 0% 6%

Curricula3 Advanced (students/academies that take/teach multiple ITE CCNA 1, 2 CCNA 3, 4 Technologies/ curricula are counted more than once) Other4

Students 72% 40% 8% 6%

Academies 81% 50% 38% 6%

Contribution value5 (estimated cumulative value to academies, including donations and discounts, in $US) $1,026,344

Table 15. Active Academies in Saskatchewan1 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.

Regina Catholic Schools (Regina) *SIAST Kelsey Campus-CAD/CAM Central Collegiate (Moose Jaw) (Saskatoon) Regina Public Schools Adult Campus E.D. Feehan (Saskatoon) (Regina *SIAST Wascana (Regina) *Keewatin Career Development Corp. *Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Swift Current Comprehensive High (Laronge) Technologies (Saskatoon) (Swift Current) North Battleford Comprehensive High SIAST - Computer Systems Thom Collegiate (Regina) School (North Battleford) Technology (Saskatoon) William Derby School (Strasbourg) Parkland Regional College (Yorkton) SIAST Kelsey Campus - ESET Ranch Ehrlo Society (Regina) (Saskatoon)

* Indicates Cisco Networking Academy Training Center 1 Source: Canada Active Acads as of 10.31.09_JZ.xlsx

Northwest Territories

Table 16. Cisco Networking Academy in Northwest Territories1

Students 2

Female students 100%

Distinct cumulative students (having successfully completed at least one course) 0

Academies 0

Instructors 0

Education Level Secondary Community 2 (students/academies at more than one ed level Universities Other Schools Colleges are distributed proportionately)

Students N/A N/A N/A N/A

Academies N/A N/A N/A N/A

Curricula3 Advanced (students/academies that take/teach multiple ITE CCNA 1, 2 CCNA 3, 4 Technologies/ curricula are counted more than once) Other4

Students N/A N/A N/A N/A

Academies N/A N/A N/A N/A

Contribution value5 (estimated cumulative value to academies, including donations and discounts, in $US) $18,212

Table 17. Active Academies in Northwest Territories6 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.

NOTE: There are no active academies here at this time.

6 Source: Canada Active Acads as of 10.31.09_JZ.xlsx

Western Canada Student and Community Impact

The Future Starts Before School Ends! While work experience programs are hardly new to Future Shop, the arrangement the company has with Cisco Networking Academy is proving to be particularly beneficial for all concerned. Last year, Braydon Berthelet and Taylor Furdal, two high school students from Sardis Secondary in Chilliwack, BC, completed a successful holiday season at Future Shop’s Centre Point Plaza store. This year, Taylor Furdal returns for season two. “I love it!” says Taylor. “The environment is friendly, and it’s competitive enough to keep things fresh and exciting.”

Braydon and Taylor both obtained their jobs through the Future Shop program that gives Cisco Networking Academy students priority interviews for part-time positions when recommended by their instructors. John Murtha, computer science instructor at Sardis Secondary, explains:

“The big thing for me is how well this program lets my students apply what they’ve gained in the classroom to the working world.”

Braydon was recommended because in addition to his amazing programming skills (he got 5 out of 5 on his Computer Science A and B exams, which are top marks at university level), he is really good at helping others. “This is one of the reasons he’s currently lecturing my other students right here in the school,” says Murtha. “Taylor was recommended because he’s hardworking, gets good, solid marks, and is naturally outgoing. He works very well with others and likes starting things up, which I knew Future Shop would like.”

Born in Chilliwack, 19-year-old Braydon enjoys the retail environment, and has this to say:

“In school, I’d been used to working in small groups or alone, whereas at Future Shop, it was a lot of people… a really different experience. I was a general associate in the Mobile Audio section, but when people asked about other things, I could help. I’d taken IT Essentials, the PC repair course, and all the programming courses at Sardis, plus networking. When I mentioned my networking courses at my interview, they hired me right there.”

Braydon will continue earning university credits next semester at Sardis with advanced placement courses, including CCNA certification prep. He then hopes to go to Waterloo University for its five-year software development program.

17-year-old Taylor, born in Vernon, BC, was originally hired as a general associate in the IPG (computers, printers, and accessories) and ENT (music, games and movies) sections at Future Shop. “I checked and found they were hiring seasonal workers, so I put in an app online. Then Mr. Murtha explained there was a partnership between Cisco and Future Shop, which I’d obviously kick-started by filing my app. I was hired and contracted for November and December, 2008. Now I’m back here again. It’s great. I’m just in ENT this year, but it has a lot to do with computers.”

“I get customer service experience, listening to problems and solving them, plus general knowledge of the products I’m selling. There’s always something new.”

With ICTS 1, introductory PC repair, introductory networking, and introduction to Java under his belt, Taylor will graduate from Sardis at the end of this year, and is planning an ICT career, possibly in maintenance. “I’m most interested in hardware,” he says.

The Stores Want More Greg Apps, general manager of the Centre Point Plaza Future Shop in Chilliwack, recalls how he first became aware of the Cisco and Future Shop program. His district HR manager called and asked if two Cisco students could come by to see him. “Braydon did a great job for us last year. His customer service skills were excellent, he was always eager to learn, and we were very happy with him. Taylor Furdal was fantastic. Dozens of customers made a point of mentioning how good he was at what he did, everybody in the store liked him, and he continually hit his sales targets… which is another reason I brought him back this year.”

Currently overseeing new hires at seven BC Future Shop stores, Ram Manaktahla, the district human resources manager, gave a quick overview of how the Future Shop program works: “Future Shop does a lot of hiring at holiday time, starting in October. The agreement we have with Cisco Networking Academy is that teachers will put forward only their best students for positions on the tech side or in sales. I have my recruiters call them and conduct preliminary interviews over the phone. We then bring those students into the stores in the district to meet one of our managers, which is exactly what we did with Braydon and Taylor.”

“Because all of these students come recommended by their teachers, this is a program in which I’ve had confidence right from the start,” continues Ram. “The students we’ve had have been a great experience, and so we really like this program.”

Central Canada Ontario

Table 18. Projection of Select ICT Occupations in Ontario1

Estimated Total Hiring Requirements Occupation 2008–2015

Computer Network Technicians 6,692

Computer and Information Systems Managers 20,230

Information Systems Analysts and Consultants 10,610

User Support Technicians 1,529

Telecommunication Carrier Managers 3,870

1 Source: ICTC, www.ictc-ctic.ca/uploadedFiles/Labour_Market_Intelligence/The_Outlook_2012_-_2015/ICTC_Outlook_2008-2015_final_accurate(1).pdf

Table 19. Cisco Networking Academy in Ontario1

Students 8,011

Female students 9%

Distinct cumulative students (having successfully completed at least one course) 27,733

Academies 79

Instructors 164

Education Level Secondary Community 2 (students/academies at more than one ed level Universities Other Schools Colleges are distributed proportionately)

Students 31% 43% 25% 0%

Academies 61% 30% 8% 1%

Curricula3 Advanced (students/academies that take/teach multiple ITE CCNA 1, 2 CCNA 3, 4 Technologies/ curricula are counted more than once) Other4

Students 24% 68% 20% 9%

Academies 44% 75% 46% 24%

Contribution value5 (estimated cumulative value to academies, including donations and discounts, in $US) $13,698,806

Table 20. Active Academies in Ontario1 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.

*George Brown College (Toronto) Pine Ridge Secondary School *Algonquin College (Ottawa) (Pickering) George Harvey Collegiate Institute All Saints Catholic High School (Toronto) Pre-Apprenticeship Training Institute (Kanata) (Toronto) Georges Vanier Secondary School Barton Secondary School (Hamilton) (Toronto) Queen Elizabeth High School (Sioux Lookout) Bear Creek Secondary School (Barrie) *Georgian College of A.A. and Tech. Bishop Ryan High School (Hamilton) (Barrie) R.H. King Academy (Toronto) *Cambrian College (Sudbury) Glendale Secondary School (Hamilton) *sa tec @ W.A. Porter C.I. (Scarborough) *Canadore College of Applied Arts and H. B. Beal Senior Secondary (London) Technology (North Bay) Saint Michael Catholic HIgh School *Halton District School Board (Oakville) (Niagara Falls) Cardinal Newman Catholic S.S. *Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District (Stoney Creek) *Sault College of Applied Arts and School Board (Hamilton) Technology (Sault Ste. Marie) Carleton University (Ottawa) Highland Secondary School (Dundas) Saunders Academy (London) *Centennial College (Scarborough) Hill Park Secondary School (Hamilton) *Seneca College of Applied Arts & Central Technical School (Toronto) Holy Trinity Catholic High School Technology (North York) Certification Training Centre (Simcoe) Sherwood High School (Hamilton) (Scarborough) Holy Trinity High (Kanata) Sir Robert Borden HS (Ottawa) *College Boreal (Sudbury) *Humber College of Applied Arts & *Sir Sandford Fleming College College Francais (Toronto) Technology (Toronto) (Peterborough) College Notre-Dame (Sudbury) Hunstville High (Huntsville) Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School (Stoney Creek) Conseil scolaire de district catholique John Paul II Catholic Secondary du Centre-Est de l'Ontario (Orleans) School (London) St. Christopher Cisco Academy (Sarnia) Crestwood (Peterborough) *La Cite Collegiale (Ottawa) Lambton College of Applied Arts and St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Denis Morris High School (Saint Technology (Windsor) Catharines) Technology (Sarnia) Marc Garneau Collegiate (Don Mills) St. Jean de Brebeuf High School Dufferin-Peel CDSD (Mississauga) (Hamilton) Milton District High School (Milton) *Durham College (Oshawa) St. Lawrence College (Cornwall) *Mohawk College (Hamilton) E.S.C. Franco-Ouest (Espanola) St. Thomas More High School Ecole secondaire Franco-Cite (Ottawa) Mohawk College - Local (Hamilton) (Hamilton) Everest College, Kitchener (ACC) Nelson High School (Burlington) The University of Western Ontario (London) (Kitchener) Netplus College of Information Everest College, Ottawa (ACC) Technology (Scarborough) *University of Ontario Institute of Technology (Oshawa) (Ottawa) North Middlesex District High School Everest College, Scarborough (ACC) (Parkhill) Waterdown District High (Waterdown) (Scarborough) *Northern College of Applied Arts & Waterloo Collegiate Institute (Waterloo) Technology (South Porcupine) Everest College, Sudbury (ACC) Yorkdale Secondary School & Adult (Sudbury) Northview IT Academy (Toronto) Learning Centre (Toronto) Everest College, Toronto (ACC) Orchard Park Local Academy (Stoney (Toronto) Creek) *Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Pere-Rene-de-Galinee (Cambridge) Technology (London)

* Indicates Cisco Networking Academy Training Center 1 Source: Canada Active Acads as of 10.31.09_JZ.xlsx

Central Canada Student and Community Impact

Cisco Networking Academy Students Strike Twice What’s better than a gold medal? Two gold medals! And that’s exactly what Cisco Networking Academy students achieved at SkillsCanada 2009 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The rigorous, two-day event, running from 8 am until 6 pm, saw Nathan Weins of Chilliwack, BC, bring home Gold in the Secondary Division, and Matthew Burr of Sudbury, ON, do the same in Post-Secondary Division.

This outstanding achievement marks yet another milestone in the long tradition of excellence established by Networking Academy students at SkillsCanada. It continues a success story that began in 2002 when Cisco first sponsored this prestigious event.

Gold in the Secondary Division “It was nerve-racking,” admits 18-year-old Nathan. “It was my first competition but lots of fun… including the trip to PE.” When asked how Cisco Networking Academy helped him take the Gold, Nathan said: “It taught me how to solve problems: when you come across a situation, how to find a solution. That helped immensely.”

Nathan’s interest in computers started way before high school, when he worked his way through books from the local library. John Murtha, computer science instructor and Nathan’s teacher at Sardis Secondary, recalls how Nathan had asked permission to take computer courses before he was even enrolled at Sardis. John says, “Nathan did well. He took the exams, and passed with flying colors!”

Once enrolled at Sardis, Nathan enrolled in Cisco Networking Academy courses. “When my teacher first pitched networking to me, I thought it would be dry. But when I got my hands on a router and started configuring, it was pretty cool. It’s image-oriented, lots of virtualization—very hands-on, and I’m a hands-on guy. So here I am using it where I work!”

While continuing school part-time, Nathan has been self-employed for a year running an ICT consulting business. He sets up and manages networks for offices in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Langley, handling tasks like Microsoft Windows Server administration, desktop support, hardware upgrades and additions, network administration, and more. He also does contracting work for several other ICT firms. John Murtha has seen Nathan go from distributing neighbourhood flyers offering computer repairs, to installing and managing equipment for an entire company. “All this experience has stemmed directly from Networking Academy studies, and now this high school kid is running the whole thing for them!”

Nathan has taken all four Cisco CCNA courses and acquired his Cisco CCNA certification, plus courses in Microsoft Windows Server, Java, C++, web design, PC repair, and Linux server administration. He is currently taking advanced placement courses, and finishing up his programming and Windows Server studies before graduating in June 2010. “I’ll be continuing with Cisco, too,” says Nathan. “It will be Cisco CCNP courses next semester, and then university in September. I want a master’s in information systems. Network engineering is where I want to be—security, routing, the lot. Then I’ll move into network architecture, designing networks for new corporations and new buildings.”

“We have lots of good students at Sardis,” comments John Murtha proudly, “which is why we’re always in the top three at the Nationals. But Nathan is absolutely amazing. I have him lecturing courses for me, and because he also wants to

learn to develop presentations, he actually builds his own lecture material, which I’m only too happy to check over for him.”

Gold in the Post-Secondary Division 24-year-old Matthew (Matt) Burr explains how much he enjoyed SkillsCanada and what an excellent opportunity it was to represent his college and province. “It wasn’t easy, but I knew everything I needed to know going in,” he adds calmly.

“Matt is super-professional as a student,” reports teacher Bob Vachon, coordinator of Computer Systems Technology Programs at Cambrian College in Sudbury. “He is always over and above; the leader of a group that consistently prepares case studies involving more hosts, more traffic, more everything, even professionally bound presentation pieces. He is a very strong student, a scholar of standing that any teacher would be proud to have in his class.”

Born in Lindsay, Ontario, Matt Burr had originally moved to Sudbury to pursue his interest in computers at Laurentian University. “I went to Laurentian for computer science for two years,” says Matt, “but it wasn’t the program I wanted. I wanted to focus on networking, so I switched to Cambrian. It is a small school compared to Laurentian, and they put a lot of work into their programs. Cisco Networking Academy courses prepared me for everything. The instructors are excellent and I soon realized I’d picked the right field.”

Matt has taken all the original Cisco CCNA courses, the pre-Exploration version, and all four Cisco CCNP courses. He graduated from Cambrian College in May 2009, and plans to get his Cisco CCNA certification in 2010.

Asked about his goals for the future, Matt says: “In IT, you have to stay current or you’re obsolete. But I’ve spent five years in post-secondary school so I’m going to take a break. Right now I’m working as a LAN administrator for a company in Toronto. In the future, I want to try everything. IT is a broad field, and I’m going to try it all out. Cisco Networking Academy courses have helped me realize what I want to do with my life, and I now feel capable of doing it for whoever needs it.”

Bob Vachon sums up his point of view: “In the five years we’ve been competing at SkillsCanada, Cambrian has won Bronze (third place), Silver, and now with Matt, Gold. Added to the 10 to 13 really good students graduating from here yearly, it’s a national achievement in which we all take pride.”

And a Big San Jose Surprise This year, both Networking Academy winners received an unexpected prize: an all-expenses-paid trip to the executive briefing center at Cisco corporate headquarters in San Jose, California. “I didn’t know we’d be getting this,” said Matt. “Cisco told me about it a month and a half after the competition. It was quite an experience. I thought the briefing center would be one single building, but it turned out to be several city blocks in size!”

Bob Vachon adds, “It was fantastic. We had guides take us around and were treated like VIPs. We visited the cable lab, a 25-million-dollar room, and the compliance lab, where all the testing is done. We also got to see John Chambers, Cisco CEO, just 10 feet away from us doing an interview. To us, it was like seeing a rock star!”

Eastern Canada Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador

Quebec

Table 21. Projection of Select ICT Occupations in Quebec1

Estimated Total Hiring Requirements Occupation 2008–2015

Computer Network Technicians 1,778

Computer and Information Systems Managers 2,538

Information Systems Analysts and Consultants 8,040

User Support Technicians 4,351

Telecommunication Carrier Managers 667

1 Source: ICTC, www.ictc-ctic.ca/uploadedFiles/Labour_Market_Intelligence/The_Outlook_2012_-_2015/ICTC_Outlook_2008-2015_final_accurate(1).pdf

Table 22. Cisco Networking Academy in Quebec1

Students 4,247

Female students 8%

Distinct cumulative students (having successfully completed at least one course) 14,745

Academies 56

Instructors 147

Education Level Secondary Community 2 (students/academies at more than one ed level Universities Other Schools Colleges are distributed proportionately)

Students 23% 53% 20% 4%

Academies 24% 61% 13% 2%

Curricula3 Advanced (students/academies that take/teach multiple ITE CCNA 1, 2 CCNA 3, 4 Technologies/ curricula are counted more than once) Other4

Students 26% 68% 26% 3%

Academies 38% 88% 71% 21%

Contribution value5 (estimated cumulative value to academies, including donations and discounts, in $US) $6,711,506

Table 23. Active Academies in Quebec1 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.

Cegep de Chicoutimi (Chicoutimi) *Cegep Limoilou (Quebec) College Lasalle (Montreal) Cégep de Drummondville Cégep Montmorency (Laval) College Lionel Groulx (Sainte Therese) (Drummondville) Cegep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (Saint Collège Shawinigan (Shawinigan) Cégep de Granby (Granby) Jean Sur Richelieu) Commission scolaire Marguerite- Cegep de Jonquiere (Jonquière) CEGEP Sept-Iles (Sept-Iles) Bourgeoys (Saint Laurent) Cegep de la Gaspesie et des Iles *Cegep Ste-Foy (Sainte Foy) Dawson College (Westmount) (Gaspé) Cegep St-Felicien (Saint Félicien) Ecole de Technologie Superieure Cégep de La Pocatiere (La Pocatiere) (Montreal) CEGEP Trois-Rivieres (Trois-Rivières) Cégep de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue École Secondaire Calixa-Lavallée (Rouyn-Noranda) centre administration, commerce et (Montreal) secretariat de Gatineau (Gatineau) Cégep de Lanaudière - Joliette Ecole Secondaire Chavigny (Trois- (Joliette) cepn-fnec (Wendake) Rivières) *Cégep de l'Outaouais (Gatineau) CFP des Riverains (Repentigny) Ecole secondaire Mont-Bleu (Gatineau) Cegep de Matane (Matane) CFP Fierbourg (Quebec) *EMICA de Montreal (Montreal) Cegep de Rimouski (Rimouski) Champlain College - St-Lambert (Saint *Institut Teccart (Montreal) Lambert) Cegep de Riviere-du-Loup (Riviere Du John Abbott College (Sainte Anne de Loup) Collège Ahuntsic (Montreal) Bellevue) Cegep de Saint-Hyacinthe (Saint- College Bois-de-Boulogne (Montreal) Pearson Adult and Career Center Hyacinthe) College de Maisonneuve (Montreal) (Lasalle) Cegep de Sherbrooke (Sherbrooke) *College de Rosemont (Montreal) Polyvalente l ' Erabliere (Gatineau) Cégep de St-Laurent (Montreal) Collège Durocher Saint-Lambert, Séminaire Saint-François (Saint- Augustin) Cegep de Victoriaville - Tinfo pavillon Durocher (Saint-Lambert) (Victoriaville) College Edouard-Montpetit (Longueuil) Seminaire St-Joseph de Trois-Rivieres (Trois-Rivieres) Cégep du Vieux Montréal (Montreal) College Jean Eudes (Montreal) St. Patrick High School (Quebec)

* Indicates Cisco Networking Academy Training Center 1 Source: Canada Active Acads as of 10.31.09_JZ.xlsx

New Brunswick

Table 24. Projection of Select ICT Occupations in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador (combined)1

Estimated Total Hiring Requirements Occupation 2008–2015

Computer Network Technicians 707

Computer and Information Systems Managers 485

Information Systems Analysts and Consultants 1,409

User Support Technicians 1,791

Telecommunication Carrier Managers 111

1 Source: ICTC, www.ictc-ctic.ca/uploadedFiles/Labour_Market_Intelligence/The_Outlook_2012_-_2015/ICTC_Outlook_2008-2015_final_accurate(1).pdf

Table 25. Cisco Networking Academy in New Brunswick1

Students 395

Female students 11%

Distinct cumulative students (having successfully completed at least one course) 1,338

Academies 28

Instructors 23

Education Level Secondary Community 2 (students/academies at more than one ed level Universities Other Schools Colleges are distributed proportionately)

Students 41% 56% 4% 0%

Academies 79% 14% 4% 4%

Curricula3 Advanced (students/academies that take/teach multiple ITE CCNA 1, 2 CCNA 3, 4 Technologies/ curricula are counted more than once) Other4

Students 30% 66% 11% 4%

Academies 86% 29% 25% 7%

Contribution value5 (estimated cumulative value to academies, including donations and discounts, in $US) $954,969

Table 26. Active Academies in New Brunswick1 Active academies are defined as those who have taught a class with at least 3 distinct student assessments, or adopted a new curriculum, within the last 12 months.

*CCNB - Campus de Bathurst Hampton High School (Hampton) New Brunswick Dept of Education (Bathurst) (Fredericton) Harrison Trimble High School CDJ - Edmundston (Edmundston) (Moncton) Polyvalente LJR (Shediac) Dept Of Education Dist Ed (Grand Lakefield Elementary School Polyvalente Louis Mailloux (Caraquet) Falls) (Quispamsis) Riverview High School (Riverview) Ecole Clement Cormier (Buctouche) Leo Hayes High School (Fredericton) Rothesay High School (Rothesay) École l'Odyssée (Moncton) Miramichi Valley High School (Miramichi) St. Stephen High School (Saint Ecole Mathieu-Martin (Dieppe) Stephen) Moncton High School (Moncton) Ecole Mgr-Marcel-Francois-Richard Sussex Regional High School (Sussex) (Saint Louis de Kent) NB School District 2 (Moncton) *Universite de Moncton (Moncton) École Secondaire Népisiguit (Bathurst) NBCC Miramichi (Miramichi) Fredericton High School (Fredericton) NBCC St. Andrews (St. Andrews) Fundy High School (Saint George) *New Brunswick Community College- Moncton (Moncton)

* Indicates Cisco Networking Academy Training Center 1 Source: Canada Active Acads as of 10.31.09_JZ.xlsx

Nova Scotia

Table 27. Projection of Select ICT Occupations in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador (combined)1

Estimated Total Hiring Requirements Occupation 2008–2015

Computer Network Technicians 707

Computer and Information Systems Managers 485

Information Systems Analysts and Consultants 1,409

User Support Technicians 1,791

Telecommunication Carrier Managers 111

1 Source: ICTC, www.ictc-ctic.ca/uploadedFiles/Labour_Market_Intelligence/The_Outlook_2012_-_2015/ICTC_Outlook_2008-2015_final_accurate(1).pdf

Table 28. Cisco Networking Academy in Nova Scotia1

Students 816

Female students 13%

Distinct cumulative students (having successfully completed at least one course) 2,152

Academies 4

Instructors 18

Education Level Secondary Community 2 (students/academies at more than one ed level Universities Other Schools Colleges are distributed proportionately)

Students 8% 88% 1% 3%

Academies 25% 25% 25% 25%

Curricula3 Advanced (students/academies that take/teach multiple ITE CCNA 1, 2 CCNA 3, 4 Technologies/ curricula are counted more than once) Other4

Students 0% 96% 11% 1%

Academies 0% 100% 50% 50%

Contribution value5 (estimated cumulative value to academies, including donations and discounts, in $US) $796,555

Table 29. Active Academies in Nova Scotia1 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.

Halifax West High School (Halifax) Internetworking Program Dalhousie University (Halifax) *Nova Scotia Community College (Yarmouth)Park View Education Centre (Bridgewater)

* Indicates Cisco Networking Academy Training Center 1 Source: Canada Active Acads as of 10.31.09_JZ.xlsx

Prince Edward Island

Table 30. Projection of Select ICT Occupations in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador (combined)1

Estimated Total Hiring Requirements Occupation 2008–2015

Computer Network Technicians 707

Computer and Information Systems Managers 485

Information Systems Analysts and Consultants 1,409

User Support Technicians 1,791

Telecommunication Carrier Managers 111

1 Source: ICTC, www.ictc-ctic.ca/uploadedFiles/Labour_Market_Intelligence/The_Outlook_2012_-_2015/ICTC_Outlook_2008-2015_final_accurate(1).pdf

Table 31. Cisco Networking Academy in Prince Edward Island1

Students 69

Female students 9%

Distinct cumulative students (having successfully completed at least one course) 266

Academies 3

Instructors 8

Education Level Secondary Community 2 (students/academies at more than one ed level Universities Other Schools Colleges are distributed proportionately)

Students 36% 64% 0% 0%

Academies 67% 33% 0% 0%

Curricula3 Advanced (students/academies that take/teach multiple ITE CCNA 1, 2 CCNA 3, 4 Technologies/ curricula are counted more than once) Other4

Students 24% 71% 24% 0%

Academies 67% 67% 33% 0%

Contribution value5 (estimated cumulative value to academies, including donations and discounts, in $US) $193,605

Table 32. Active Academies in Prince Edward Island1 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.

*Holland College (Charlottetown) Morell Regional High School (Morell) Westisle Composite High School (Elmsdale)

* Indicates Cisco Networking Academy Training Center 1 Source: Canada Active Acads as of 10.31.09_JZ.xlsx

Newfoundland and Labrador

Table 33. Projection of Select ICT Occupations in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador (combined)1

Estimated Total Hiring Requirements Occupation 2008–2015

Computer Network Technicians 707

Computer and Information Systems Managers 485

Information Systems Analysts and Consultants 1,409

User Support Technicians 1,791

Telecommunication Carrier Managers 111

1 Source: ICTC, www.ictc-ctic.ca/uploadedFiles/Labour_Market_Intelligence/The_Outlook_2012_-_2015/ICTC_Outlook_2008-2015_final_accurate(1).pdf

Table 34. Cisco Networking Academy in Newfoundland and Labrador1

Students 160

Female students 17%

Distinct cumulative students (having successfully completed at least one course) 484

Academies 7

Instructors 8

Education Level Secondary Community 2 (students/academies at more than one ed level Universities Other Schools Colleges are distributed proportionately)

Students 14% 62% 24% 0%

Academies 14% 71% 14% 0%

Curricula3 Advanced (students/academies that take/teach multiple ITE CCNA 1, 2 CCNA 3, 4 Technologies/ curricula are counted more than once) Other4

Students 0% 91% 17% 0%

Academies 0% 71% 71% 14%

Contribution value5 (estimated cumulative value to academies, including donations and discounts, in $US) $378,918

Table 35. Active Academies in Newfoundland and Labrador1 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.

CNA-Virtual Campus (Clarenville) *Memorial University of Newfoundland CNA-Prince Philip Drive (Saint Johns) (Saint Johns) *College of the North Atlantic (Saint CNA-Ridge Road (Saint Johns) Johns) Mt. Pearl Sr High School (Mount Pearl) CNA-Virtual Campus (Clarenville)

* Indicates Cisco Networking Academy Training Center 1 Source: Canada Active Acads as of 10.31.09_JZ.xlsx

Eastern Canada Student and Community Impact

Quebec Pathway Speeds Up the Process! Jean-Philippe Desbiens and Maxime Turcotte are two Cisco Networking Academy students currently zipping along Quebec province’s Technology Pathway. Integrating ICT training with regular high school and college education, the Pathway program facilitates completion of CEGEP—grade 12 plus first and second year of college—in 2-1/2 instead of 3 years, and earns 3 diplomas instead of 2: Secondary Study (high school), Professional Studies (vocational school), and Collegial Studies (college).

For 17-year-old Quebec City native, Jean-Philippe Desbiens, it’s the program he’s always wanted. “I heard about the Technology Pathway Program in high school and went to CFP des Riverains Vocational and High School in grade 10 to participate in it. I got my Cisco CCENT™ in March, and I now have my CCNA too!”

After placing first in Quebec and fourth in Canada during SkillsCanada 2008, it was Cisco who advised Jean-Philippe that College de Rosemont offered Cisco CCNA curriculum, and that he could prepare in advance there for his Cisco CCNA certification exams. Jean-Philippe took the initiative to do exactly that.

“Jean-Philippe came here towards the end of January 2010,” explains Gabriel Lacoursiere, his teacher at College de Rosemont, “but we had first met last year at SkillsCanada. It was then that he asked if he could do Cisco CCNA Discovery with us before he started the college IT diploma program. We’ve been working with him ever since on CCNA Discovery curriculum and labs. He’s now already passed the CCNA Discovery exams and his CCNA certification exam.”

“Jean-Philippe Desbiens is the Sidney Crosby of computers,” says Claude Lessard, his CFP des Riverains vice-principal in Repentigny, Quebec. “I don’t know when we’ll see another one like him. As teachers, we had to be very careful to get everything right because he already knew so much. He’d been on computers since he was 5 years old, and his father and brothers hold computing masters degrees. I’ll never forget when he won the Quebec provincial competition and then finished fourth in the national. At sixteen, he wasn’t even old enough to enter, yet here he was competing with guys of up to 30 and 35. He’s a very special student!”

When asked where he’ll be placing his considerable talent in the future, Jean-Philippe was quick to respond. “For sure it’ll be IT,” he says.

“It’s more than a passion with me. I don’t think there’s really a word for it. It’s doing the job you love. Right now, I’m working part-time for the government as an IT security and telecommunications technician. It gives me the opportunity to see where I want to work, and it allows me to work the hours I want while I’m at Rosemont.”

“Cisco has put me in touch with so many people. That includes my current work manager, and it was my work manager who put me in touch with the Action TI Network, for which I just did a conference in November about recruiting replacements for retirees. Cisco has empowered my life!”

19-year-old Maxime Turcotte is another CFP des Riverains graduate. Born just north of Montreal in Laval, Quebec, Maxime had attended the Technology Pathway presentation in high school and liked it. “Regular high

school was getting boring,” he says, “and the Pathway was the obvious next step. I wanted to study a subject I liked and pursue a career I’m passionate about.”

Maxime attained both his high school diploma and professional studies diploma in the same year, 2008. “He was a very good student and very hard worker with exceptional social skills,” recalls Claude Lessard. When he first arrived, he was more of a multimedia guy, good at Flash and animation, but Cisco Networking Academy helped him discover something else and today he’s focused on networking. It’s what he wants to do, it changed his vision, and I hear he’s presently the best student at Rosemont!”

Maxime is in the second year of his collegial ICT diploma at College de Rosemont, and he intends to graduate in 2011. Enjoying the hands-on aspects of his studies the most— including his own labs at home--he has already earned his Cisco CCENT™ certification (December 2009), and plans to get his Cisco CCNA certification by the end of January 2010.

Gabriel Lacoursiere, Maxime’s College de Rosemont teacher, says: “Maxime is a very good student who already had a good knowledge of networking when he started his first semester at the beginning of 2009. In fact, when we participated in the Security Competition in Montreal, with contestants coming from all over Quebec, Maxime was one of the best on our team because he was able to find the most holes. It’s the first time we’ve had a first-semester student do that! He already knows all of it and yet he is always in class, often doing stuff we don’t ask him to do and stuff we don’t even teach. He even reads about networking in his spare time. He’s addicted and sometimes teaches us. He’ll certainly be in high demand in the workplace!”

It is definitely the workplace upon which Maxime is setting his sights. When asked about the most important thing gained from his Cisco CCNA courses so far, his answer is “the importance of IT in companies.” When probed for more detail, he says “they have given me a good overall look at how large companies work and what potential employers are looking for.”

So what’s Maxime Turcotte looking for? “I’m still thinking about it,” he says.

“I am currently working for a small-to-medium business, doing what I’m studying now, network support and general IT support. But I also intend to finish my studies and get my Cisco CCNP certification before 2011. Then I’ll really concentrate on my networking career.”