ADELAIDE, Australia -- 8 February 2001 -- Students at Unley High School and other South Australian secondary schools have much greater access to high quality computer networking training following the introduction of course material from Internet leader Cisco Systems.
The computer networking curriculum material will be drawn from Cisco's Networking Academy Program, which is already used by 5,000 Australian students at 107 facilities nationwide and 166,000 students worldwide. The course focuses on the basics of how to design, build and maintain computer networks and provides successful graduates with certification with which to begin a career in the high technology industry.
Unley High School Principal, Mr Terry Woolley, said that the two-year course, beginning today, would be optional for year 11 and 12 students and designed to help them gain quality jobs in the fields of high technology and communications.
"The qualification also provides them with a good base to undertake further studies or on-the-job training," added Mr Woolley.
"We're taking students away from the industrial age and towards the information age," said Mr Kip Cole, Director of Marketing & Strategic Alliances, Cisco Systems Australia & New Zealand. "This is very important for the work prospects of the students and the future prosperity of not only South Australia but the country as a whole.
Initially, about 15-18 students from Unley and surrounding high schools, including Daws Road High School, Urrbrae High School and Mitcham Girls High School, will complete the course. Students will undertake the course in addition to their SACE commitments.
Classes will be held at a shared "computer lab" at Unley High School which has been created with financial assistance from Cisco and the provision of teacher training through the Adelaide Institute of TAFE, a Cisco Networking Academy accredited to provide trainer-training.
The inclusion of Unley High School in the Networking Academy program expands the number of South Australian schools involved in the program.
Salisbury High School and nine other High Schools in the Salisbury area already offer the CCNA course, after introducing the program in January 2000.
"The first graduating students are expected to sit final exams this month," Mr Scope said.
"The fact that we have schools in a wide range of South Australian socio-economic areas participating in the program is evidence that there is demand for this type of course, regardless of the location of the school," he said.
As the number of South Australian schools introducing the Cisco program grows, discussions are also being undertaken with the Senior Secondary Assessment Board of South Australia to have the qualification included as a SACE subject.
Cisco's Networking Academy program complements the South Australian Government's commitment to teaching students about information technology. The South Australian Government has committed approximately $30m to providing infrastructure to support the delivery of technology-related education.
Unley High School is a member of the Department of Education, Training and Employment's Learning Technology Discoveries Project. It provides leadership, conducts research and supports staff development in the use of new technologies.
There are approximately 166,000 students enrolled at 6,100 Cisco Networking Academies in 108 countries. Worldwide, Cisco has donated US$20 million to the program which is being implemented in cooperation with public and private educational institutions, usiness groups and community organisations.
In Australia, the Networking Academy program has been running for two years. Participants range from high school and university students to professionals upgrading their skills or seeking to change career direction.
All complete 280 hours of online and classroom-based instruction, valued at $8,000 to $15,000 were it to be completed at a commercial training centre. Successful graduates qualify as Cisco Certified Network Associates (CCNAs), a key industry certification.
The Networking Academy 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.
For more information on the Cisco Networking Academy program please see www.cisco.com.
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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