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There are over 350,000 unfilled technology jobs in mid-to-large sized U.S. companies, according to the Information Technology Association of America's recent study "Help Wanted: the IT Workforce Gap at the Dawn on a New Century".
The need for skilled IT/networking professionals is expected to grow by 35.7 percent in Wisconsin by the year 2014.
Educational institutions worldwide are having a difficult time keeping pace with the rapid growth of technology, and are not always able to provide students with the exposure needed to develop the skills necessary for careers and jobs in the new millennium/age of information. The lack of skilled workers is a barrier to the growth of the information technology industry.
The Cisco Networking Academy Program was developed by Cisco Systems of San Jose, California, in response to educational and industry challenges. The program and Internet-based curriculum centers on teaching students to design, install and maintain computer networks through classroom and laboratory experience in current and emerging technologies. The academy programs are available in all fifty states and over forty countries.
Wisconsin's Technical Colleges are designated as Cisco Regional Network Academies. A high school that chooses to participate in the program is considered a Local Network Academy.
The Department of Workforce Development partnered with Cisco Systems to develop workplace skill standards so students attending a Local Network Academy high school could get paid hands-on skill training through local employers.
Industry mentors are trained to teach youth apprentices the skills and knowledge needed to find entry-level employment with a computer network employer. All Cisco networking skills are transferable to other network environments.
Youth apprentices take four semesters of the Cisco Internet-based curriculum at a participating Local Network Academy high school and must work at least 900 hours over two years with a participating employer. Each of the four semesters emphasizes decision-making and problem-solving techniques in applying science, mathematics, communication and social studies concepts to networking problems.
After successful completion of the requirements for a high school diploma and the school-based and work-based requirements for Youth Apprenticeship, the students receive a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency from the Department of Workforce Development. Students who complete the two-year Information Technology/Networking Program are eligible to receive advanced standing credit from a Wisconsin Technical College offering a related associate degree program.
Successful completion of the program qualifies youth apprentices to pursue a number of industry-standard certifications, including the Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) and the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) Network certifications.