Partnering with Texas 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 Texas 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 Cisco Networking Academy has curricula that build knowledge and skills in information communications enrolled more than 3 million technology (ICT). students since its inception in 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 employers in diverse industries and public-sector organizations. Courses 810,000 students, in over 9,600 also prepare students to pursue further education or apply these skills in academies worldwide. their own businesses. Networking Academy partners Networking Academy is recognized worldwide as a leader in education with a broad range of education, innovation and e-learning. The curricula include instructor-led course government, and nongovernment 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 Exploration, and CCNA Security. Students may then enroll in the more Cisco is the largest networking advanced Cisco CCNP® courses. company in the world, delivering innovations that transform how As of October 31, 2009, approximately 155,571 students were enrolled in people work, live, play, and learn. 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 9 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 9 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 Texas. Table 1. Projection of Select ICT Occupations in the United States1 Employment Employment Change Average Occupational Occupation Annual Employment 2006 2016 Number % Openings as of May 20082 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 309,000 393,000 83,000 27 15,000 327,850 Administrators Network Systems and Data 262,000 402,000 140,000 53.4 19,000 230,410 Communications Analysts Computer and Information 264,000 307,000 43,000 16.4 9,000 276,820 Systems Managers Table 2. Projection of Select ICT Occupations in Texas3 Employment Employment Change Average Occupational Occupation Annual Employment 2006 2016 Number % Openings as of May 20082 Computer Support Specialists 42,950 51,600 8650 20.1 2190 47,090 Computer Systems Analysts 43,850 59,600 15,750 35.9 2740 43,790 Network and Computer Systems 25,250 33,650 8400 33.3 1415 27,090 Administrators Network Systems and Data 17,750 27,600 9850 55.5 1345 15,680 Communications Analysts Computer and Information 15,850 19,250 3400 21.5 595 17,640 Systems Managers 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 9 The Impact in Texas The partnership between Cisco Networking Academy and Texas has touched the lives of 54,146 students and generated an estimated contribution valued at $29,294,818 to education in the state. Tables 3-4 provide detailed information on the current academies, curricula, and education levels in the state. 1 Table 3. Cisco Networking Academy in Texas Students 11,017 Female students 14% Distinct cumulative students (having successfully completed at least one course) 54,146 Academies 168 Instructors 295 Education