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 non- traditional 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. www.cisco.com/go/netacad/canada Copyright © 1997–2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 1 of 31 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. www.cisco.com/go/netacad/canada Copyright © 1997–2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 2 of 31 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 www.cisco.com/go/netacad/canada Copyright © 1997–2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 3 of 31 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 www.cisco.com/go/netacad/canada Copyright © 1997–2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public Information. Page 4 of 31 Western Canada British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories British Columbia 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