LIVERPOOL, NSW, Australia -- 23 May 2001 -- - Liverpool City Council has created a Cisco Networking Academy as part of its long-term strategy to encourage knowledge-based industries to its area on the western edge of metropolitan Sydney.
The academy will provide online and classroom-based instruction about the basics of computer networking to students in the Council's computer centre. Successful graduates qualify as Cisco Certified Network Associates (CCNAs), a key industry certification.
"The Academy is part of several long-term goals for Council, namely reducing long-term unemployment in the region by re-skilling people in computer networking technology, and encouraging knowledge-based industries to the area by providing a skilled workforce" said Mr Keith Simmons, Project Manager for Liverpool City Council.
The Networking Academy will provide students with 240 hours of online and classroom based instruction about the basics of computer networking at the Council's Computer Centre within Liverpool Library. The initial intake of students will begin in July, with half of the 40 students sourced with the assistance of The Smith Family, an independent social enterprise working with disadvantaged Australians.
"We have a long-term vision of establishing a knowledge industry park in the Liverpool Council area, on the site of the Yulong Playing fields in Moorebank," Mr Simmons said. "This area is also located next to the M5 South Western Motorway - soon to be linked to Sydney's CBD, Kingsford Smith Airport and Port Botany."
The Liverpool area already has a nucleus of high technology companies, including manufacturers of telecommunications equipment, high voltage power generation and transmission systems and cabling.
"Graduates from the Cisco Networking Program have demonstrated they have the skills needed to power the Internet economy," Mr Simmons said. "We are delighted to see the Networking Academies Program move beyond the secondary and tertiary education systems and out into the wider community," said Mr Terry Walsh, Cisco Managing Director, Australia & New Zealand.
"This is an excellent move because it gives people that already have some work experience the skill set needed for today's knowledge industries. With this development, Cisco and its education partners will continue to develop new models for industry, community and government interaction and the provision of vocational, job ready solutions," Mr Walsh said.
Cisco and The Smith Family cooperate on a range of initiatives for disadvantaged students, including their joint Virtual Learning and Communication Centre.
Liverpool City Council plans to extend its community-based Cisco Networking Academy to at least two other campuses next year. The initial campus will be in the Council's main library. The new locations are planned for Macarthur Community College in Cartwright and Macquarie Fields College of Technical and Further Education (TAFE).
Mr. Simmons said it was hard to put an overall dollar value on the investment Liverpool is making in the Networking Academy. "Basically we are providing a lot of infrastructure and computers," he said. "We are also ensuring that facilities are also available outside normal hours. On top of all that we are donating boundless enthusiasm.
Cisco Systems' Networking Academy Program
There are approximately 200,000 students enrolled at 6,500 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, business groups and community organisations.
In Australia, the Networking Academies Program has been running since 1998. Participants range from high school and university students to professionals upgrading their skills or seeking to change career direction.
All complete up to 280 hours of online and classroom-based instruction, valued at A$8,000 to A$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 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.
About Liverpool City Council
The council is responsible for the administration of an area of 305 sq. km on the western edge of the Sydney metropolitan area. It has a population of 150,000 and is one of the fastest growing local government areas in New South Wales. More information available at www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au.
About The Smith Family
The Smith Family is a large and growing social enterprise with annual turnover in 1999/2000 of $69.2 million, 650 paid staff and 1,500 volunteers located in over 30 offices nationwide. Every Christmas The Smith Family distributes more than 20,000 hampers and 60,000 toys to disadvantaged Australians. Its focus is on education to unlock opportunities, supported with crisis assistance and based on comprehensive research. More information available at www.smithfamily.org.au.
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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Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
