TALLAHASSEE, FL -- August 6, 1998 -- Governor Lawton Chiles today announced a new partnership to provide high-tech training for high school and community college students throughout the state.
Florida Community College System is teaming with Cisco Systems, Inc., an Internet networking company, to establish regional Cisco Networking Academy program sites on community college campuses beginning this fall. These regional academies will provide support and training for instructors in Florida public high schools.
"Providing our students with the skills they need to compete in the Information Age is critical to their future success and key to building a strong economy for our state," Governor Chiles said. "Increasing the pool of qualified information technology workers will bolster our ability to attract new business and give Florida companies access to the high-tech support they need to grow and prosper."
The Cisco Networking Academy program will teach high school and college students how to design, build and maintain computer networks capable of supporting local, national and global organizations. Cisco Systems will contribute curriculum, equipment and resources to community colleges statewide, an investment of about $15,000 per academy.
"Our greatest challenge is to provide educational training to our students that is relevant to today's job market," said David Armstrong, executive director of Florida's community college system. "The Cisco Networking Academy program is a prime example of the way business and education can work together to ensure that our future workforce is prepared to meet the high-tech challenges of the 21st century."
The explosive growth in Internet technologies has produced a nationwide shortage of qualified technology workers. A recent report by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) estimates that there are approximately 346,000 unfilled technology positions in this country.
Florida is the second fastest growing high-tech state with more than 175,000 jobs and $7.3 billion in annual payroll, according to figures gathered by the American Electronics Association.
"Network administrators are essential to the success of almost all businesses, yet most companies simply can't find people with the right skills to meet the demand," Cisco Chairman John Morgridge said. "This program is targeted to address that shortage."
Resources for Local Academies will be provided through Communities In Schools of Florida, Inc., part of a national organization that champions the connection of needed community resources with schools to help young people successfully learn, stay in school and prepare for life. The state's community colleges will provide training and support to local Networking Academies.
Students who complete the 280-hour program will gain skills necessary to begin working in the information technology field with an estimated starting salary of up to $35,000. Academy graduates are also eligible to build upon their networking training by pursuing advanced education in the sciences and engineering fields at colleges and universities.
Cisco Networking Academy
The Cisco Networking Academy program was officially launched in October 1997. There are currently 833 Regional and Local Academies in 46 states and Washington D.C.Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is theworldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information areavailable athttp://www.cisco.com.
