UK Regulator QCA Accredits the OCR IT Practitioner Suite of Qualifications, Incorporating the Cisco Networking Academy Programme, into the National Qualifications Framework

LONDON, UK., June 25, 2003 - OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations) today announced accreditation by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)of the OCR IT Practitioner suite of qualifications to the National Qualifications Framework. There are four OCR qualifications that have been simultaneously accredited, three of which include the Cisco Networking Academy Program certifications.

The Networking Academy program is a public private partnership between Cisco Systems, governments, education institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGO's) that enable academic educational bodies around the world to provide the necessary information communication technologies (ICT) skills training relevant to today's business needs.

This development signals a move by the UK's regulating body to address the expected networking skills shortage within the UK. According to analysts IDC, demand for networking skills will outstrip supply by 24 percent in UK by 2005*. Moreover, the announcement reflects the scale and growing importance of internet-based solutions in today's economy and also the government's online public service agenda. Commenting upon the announcement, Rt Hon Charles Clark MP, Secretary of State for Education and Skills said:

"Given the importance of the internet to the UK's economy, I am delighted that the Cisco Networking Academy Program has received this important boost. Schools and colleges will be able to offer more ICT courses through IT Academies, lecturers and teachers will benefit from greater professional development, and not least, learners, especially young people will be able to access specialised ICT training which will help them in their future careers. This move will increase the pool of qualified network professionals within the UK."

Ivan Lewis, MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, responsible for Adult Learning and Skills added: "I am delighted with this announcement. This move will increase the pool of qualified network professionals within the UK. Given the importance of the internet to the UK's economy, it is vital that employers can rely on existing and future employees to have the very latest ICT skill sets."

Cisco UK Academy Manager, Jane Lewis commented: "Accreditation from the UK's regulating bodies is extremely important to us. It demonstrates the quality, consistency and relevancy of the Cisco Networking Academy Program."

Lewis added, "Accreditation will also further broaden the base of schools and colleges able to offer IT qualifications, addressing our goal to enable people to take charge of their own learning regardless of time, distance or socio-economic status."

The Cisco Networking Academy program is not vendor or technology centric, offering five courses aimed at giving students a complete training on how to design, build and maintain networks. For example they are able to learn Unix and Java fundamentals, PC hardware and software skills linked to network operating systems, and voice and data cabling. Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard and Panduit sponsor these Networking Academy courses that expand the curriculum to provide valuable ICT skills.

The qualifications will be available from September 2003. Further information can be obtained from the OCR Information Bureau on 024 7685 1509.

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Editors' notes:

About OCR

OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations) is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range of qualifications to meet the needs of learners of all ages and abilities. OCR qualifications include AS/A Levels, GNVQs, VCEs, Key Skills, Entry Level Qualifications, NVQs and 'own brand' vocational qualifications in areas such as IT, business, languages, teaching/training, administration and secretarial skills.

Each year more than three million students gain OCR qualifications, which are offered by 13,000 centres including schools, sixth form colleges, FE colleges, training providers, voluntary organisations, local authorities, and businesses ranging from SMEs to multi-national organisations.

About QCA

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is an organisation that works with others to maintain and develop the school curriculum. QCA develops national tests within the national curriculum and accredits and monitors in schools, colleges and at work. Established by Parliament, QCA is a guardian of standards in education and training.

About DfeS and IT Academies

There are nearly 500 IT Academies in England with many more planned. They are partnerships between IT companies such as Oracle, Cisco and Microsoft, and schools, 6th forms and colleges. Schools and colleges receive support from the companies, in return they provide company specific courses (so called "vendor qualifications").

About Cisco Networking Academy Program

Launched in 1997, there are over 3000 Cisco Networking Academies in EMEA in over 100 countries. To date, 130,000 students are currently enrolled in EMEA and over 31,000 have graduated.

Cisco Systems partners with international organisations to bring the Networking Academy Program to designated Least Developed Countries (LDCs). To date, Cisco Academies have been established in 31 of the world's 48 LDCs. For more info on this initiative please go to http://www.cisco.com/edu/ldci

Through their Gender Initiative, Cisco Systems works with partners to help increase female enrolment in the Networking Academy Program. This presents an excellent opportunity to help narrow the gender gap and increase female participation in the Internet economy. More information on this initiative can be found at http://gender.ciscolearning.org/index.html