Cisco Networking Academy Program: Five-Year Fast Facts

By Jenny Carless, News@Cisco

The Cisco Networking Academy Program began in 1997 as a high school network support curriculum and has developed into a highly successful worldwide educational program. It offers students around the world an opportunity to pursue Internet technology curricula through Web-based instructor-led training and hands-on laboratory exercises.

Teaching basic to advanced IT skills, the Networking Academy program prepares students for industry-standard certifications, including Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNATM) and Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNPTM). The curriculum has also expanded to include courses sponsored by other IT industry leaders.

Cisco Systems recognizes that stronger global communities are good for everyone, including businesses. Through the Academy program, the company has been able to put this philosophy into action - with phenomenal results.

There are 10,372 Academies spread throughout all fifty U.S. states and in 149 countries, territories, and entities. More than 468,000 students attend classes taught in nine languages: Chinese, English, French, German, Hungarian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Jenny Carless is a freelance writer based in Santa Cruz, CA.