SYDNEY -- 24 October 2000 -- Leading internetworking company Cisco Systems has bolstered its popular Networking Academies training program with a Job Fair designed to introduce graduates to employers at leading information technology companies.
The Job Fair events will be held in Melbourne on Tuesday 24 October at the Hyatt Hotel, Collins Street, and in Sydney on Tuesday 31 October at the Australian Technology Park, Eveleigh. They will bring together hundreds of graduates from Cisco's Networking Academies program with representatives from more than 12 leading Cisco partners including Com Tech, IBM, Powerlan, and Marconi.
"Cisco has recognised that it's not good enough to simply complain about the IT skills shortage, you have to actually step in and help train people," said Mr Terry Walsh, Cisco Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand.
"Our Networking Academies teach thousands of people the fundamentals of computer networking. The Job Fair events should further this process by making it easier for qualified graduates to meet leading technology companies.
"From the other side, they will also enable our partners to spot good talent early in the highly competitive marketplace for good internetworking professionals."
Comtech General Manager, MSN Group, Gerard Florian said Cisco Networking Academy graduates were well regarded in the IT and networking industry.
"Comtech believes the Cisco Networking Academies Jobs Fair is a fantastic opportunity to help us find good quality candidates," Mr Florian said.
There are an estimated 120,000 students enrolled at 5,040 Cisco Networking Academies in 84 countries. Cisco has donated US$30 million to the program, which is being implemented in cooperation with public and private educational institutions, business groups and community organisations.
In Australia, the Networking Academies program has been running for two years and already has more than 4,000 students enrolled. So far, 300 have graduated and another 600 are expected to finish this year in time for the Job Fair events.
Courses are offered through 70 centres in Australia, many of which are located in regional areas such as: the Army Communications Training Centre in Macleod, Victoria; Helleyer College in Burnie, Tasmania; Ipswich Girls Grammar School in Ipswich, Queensland; and Torrens Valley Institute of TAFE in Modbury, South Australia.
Major educational institutions such as Murdoch University in Perth, and the University of Technology, Sydney also operate Networking Academy classes within their business and computing science schools, respectively.
Participants range from high school students to professionals upgrading their skills or seeking to change career direction. All complete 280 hours of online and classroom-based instruction. The curriculum is vendor-neutral and focuses on the basics of how to design, build and maintain computer networks.
Students that sit the full course and pass relevant exams can receive accreditation as a Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA).
The worldwide Academies program was started after Cisco recognised that many high schools, colleges and other educational facilities lacked the advanced technology and support materials required to teach such topics. The courses are designed to equip students to gain quality jobs in the 21st century arena of high technology and communications.
"The rapid acceptance of the Networking Academies program by such a wide range of organisations has confirmed our view that this sort of initiative is vital if Australia is to keep pace in the information age," said Mr Walsh.
About Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at www.cisco.com.
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