Founded in 1984, Cisco is a worldwide leader in IT that helps companies seize the opportunities of tomorrow by identifying their network and technology needs and creating solutions that solve their challenges.

The growth in connections between people, process, data and things – the Internet of Everything – is creating unprecedented opportunities for people and businesses. Cisco is a strategic partner that guides customers through change, helping them shape their organizations for the future.

Cisco’s Commitment to Education

Since 1997, the Cisco Networking Academy program has trained more than 5.5 million people for IT careers. More than 9,000 learning institutions in 170 countries offer the Cisco Networking Academy curriculum.

• Networking Academy courses provide in-depth technology training and encourage students to solve problems and work together, just as they will in the workplace.
• The globally recognized curriculum is translated into multiple languages and delivered via an online learning platform.
• Our partnerships with employers and community agencies help students transition from classroom to career path.

The Internet of Everything economy will create many opportunities for creative, tech-savvy people everywhere. Cisco Networking Academy identifies and develops the skills people need to thrive in a changing economy.

Cisco is committed to building tomorrow’s workforce of global IT problem solvers. Cisco’s education strategy emphasizes IT skills and career building, as well as motivating students of all ages to explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Cisco supports education nonprofits working to improve student outcomes and increase engagement, especially in disadvantaged communities.

Why Cisco Supports WorldSkills

Competitions like WorldSkills give Cisco Networking Academy students and other young people a chance to practice their skills in computer networking and gain recognition among IT professionals.

Since Skill #39, IT Network Systems Administration, was introduced to WorldSkills in 1999, Cisco has provided the equipment for the competition. Skill #39 demonstrates the value of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) competencies while giving competitors real skills they can apply in their professional careers.

More than 90 percent of the 2013 Skill #39 competitors in Leipzig, Germany, came from the Cisco Networking Academy program, including 2 of the 3 medal winners. Networking Academy courses and simulation tools are also integral to the Skill #39 competition. Participants prepare for Skill #39 by using Networking Academy hands-on activities, interactive learning tools, and online assessments. Packet Tracer, a simulation tool designed to allow Networking Academy students to create virtual networks, is used each day of the World Skills competition as a part of the assessment process.

“WorldSkills was helpful in my career path because it pushed me to strengthen my technical abilities, and exposed me to problem-solving scenarios that I had not seen before,” said Matt Vicari, a U.S. competitor in WorldSkills 2011 who is now employed as a network engineer at Dycom Industries. “I also met many other IT professionals from around the world that I still keep in touch with to this day.”