SAN JOSE, Calif., April 3, 2012 – Cisco today announced that it is collaborating with Senac Rio (Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Comercial) to offer a Workforce Transformation Program to benefit students and professionals in Brazil. Both parties recognize the need to further prepare the technical talent required for Brazil's continued growth and prosperity, as well as provide the IT networking support necessary for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics taking place in Rio de Janeiro. This is one of several partnership agreements with Brazilian companies and entities that Cisco is pursuing to drive innovation in Brazil.

Studies such as the Manpower Talent Shortage Survey (2011) and the Global Talent Index by Heidrick and Struggles, commissioned by the EIU (2011), indicate that Brazilian employers have difficulty in filling technical jobs due to the lack of certified individuals in technical disciplines and that other BRIC countries are ahead of Brazil in regards to talent. This Workforce Transformation Program by Senac and Cisco aims to fill the gap, benefitting both students and employers.

In order to prepare students for successful careers in networking, the Workforce Transformation Program will integrate the award-winning CCNA® course and certification exam from Cisco into Senac's portfolio of training.

Senac Rio has committed to delivering 700 CCNA certifications within the first year, and an additional 1,000 in the second year, as well as integrating the CCNA and its component courses, including the CCENT® certification, into its technical tracks of study. This innovative Workforce Transformation Program is solidly focused on creating additional talent in the marketplace that will help close the talent gap, and provide viable and affordable options for students.

Key Facts:

• Cisco will extend Workforce Transformation Program pricing bundles to Senac for the CCNA certification exam, as well as its component courses.
• Senac will become a Cisco Learning Partner Associate in order to facilitate this program.
• Senac will translate the materials into Portuguese.
• Senac intends to deliver 700 CCNA classes within the first year, and 1,000 students in the second year as a part of this program.

Supporting Quotes:

• Julio Cesar Gomes Pedro, regional department director, Senac Rio, said: "Professional education is the most important commitment of Senac Rio. Partnerships that contribute to enhance our portfolio and increase the employability of our students are invaluable to the institution. By implementing Cisco training and certification exams in our technical and graduation courses, we move a step forward, which represents a significant differential in the qualification of our students for the labor market. Thus, we contribute with more qualified professionals for the State of Rio de Janeiro, and we reinforce our mission of transforming lives."
• Jeanne Beliveau-Dunn, vice president and general manager, Learning@Cisco, said: "As networks become critical communication platforms across all industries, there is a growing need for qualified network professionals with the right-level of skills to accurately anticipate, diagnose and resolve complex network issues. Brazil is an important market for us and aligning with key partners to grow local talent is critical for the country's and Cisco's success. The Cisco Authorized Learning Partner programs provide the most advanced networking technology training available, and include exclusive access to a full-range of Cisco designed and authorized courses. This educational initiative will help enable great transformation of the region through a host of new services for industry, government and citizens."
• Marc J. Asturias, manager, marketing and market development – Americas, Learning@Cisco, said: "With Senac's leadership in vocational education and recognized focus on professionalizing people, and Learning@Cisco's experience in addressing the need for technical talent worldwide for Cisco customers, partners, and network professionals, we have the needed elements for success. As we embark on the initial steps of this program and focus on increasing a student's opportunity to obtain their first job or realigning a professional's skills to better compete in the job market, we are laser-focused on closing the talent gap in Brazil."
• Andres Sintes, global director – Cisco Learning Partner Channel, Cisco, said: "Our Cisco Authorized Learning Partners empower and enable the success of all our Cisco Channel Partners and customers globally with the knowhow they need to accelerate the success of their business through the effective use of Cisco technology architectures and solutions. We are excited to welcome Senac in Brazil as a Workforce Transformation Learning Partner focused on transforming and tech-enabling talent in Brazil, while supporting the high demand of networking professionals in the market."

References:

• http://us.manpower.com/us/en/multimedia/2011-Talent-Shortage-Survey.pdf
• http://www.globaltalentindex.com/Resources/gti-infographic.aspx

Supporting Resources:

• Cisco Learning Network: www.ciscolearningnetwork.com

Social Media Destinations:

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/learningatcisco
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cisco-Career-Certifications/111552132193668
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=3443017
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/cisco

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