How to Become a Cisco Networking Academy

Educating the Architects of the Networked Economy

Studies worldwide show a gap between the IT jobs available and qualified candidates to fill them. The Cisco
Networking Academy® educates the architects of the networked world, enabling students to pursue higher
education in engineering, computer science, and related fields. Academies provide students with the technical
skills they need to succeed in a wide range of careers, and ultimately to aid in the development of their
countries and local economies.

The Cisco Networking Academy started in the United States with Cisco's work with educators. “We donated
routers to school systems, but no one knew how to design, implement, or maintain networks,” says Tara
Collison, Ph.D., senior manager of strategic implementation, Cisco Networking Academy. “So we decided to
teach them.”

The program ultimately evolved into Cisco Networking Academy, which was formally launched in October
1997, with 67 educational institutions teaching students in seven states. Today, more than 2.1 million students
have completed courses at the 11,000 Academies that are located in high schools, technical schools, colleges,
universities, and community-based organizations around the world. In the United States alone, more than
69,700 students are currently enrolled in the more than 2600 actively teaching Academies.

Program Structure
Type of Cisco Academy Training
Regional Academy Local Academy
Academy Center (CATC)

Description A CATC trains and provides A Regional Academy A Local Academy is an

support to Regional
Academy instructors.
recruits Local Academies
and provides instructor
training and support to those
individuals and institutions.
accredited academic institution
or 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
that teaches the Cisco
Networking Academy curriculum
to enrolled students.

Process of CATC participation is by Regional Academy Interested qualified institutions

Engagement invitation only and is
approved by the Cisco Area
Academy Manager.
CATC candidates must
have a proven record as a
Regional Academy to be
considered for any future
expansion opportunities.
participation is by invitation
only and is approved by the
Cisco Area Academy
Manager.
Regional opportunities are
limited to select areas that
require replacement or
growth opportunities.
and organizations should contact
a Regional Academy or use the
following link to the online
application form. Details are on
page 2.
A Cisco representative will
contact you to provide further
information

All contents are Copyright © 1992–2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information.
 Six Steps to Becoming a Cisco Networking Academy
Step 1: Let us know about your interest in the Networking Academy program.

There are two ways to contact Cisco about your interest in the program:

A. Contact a Regional Academy through Academy Connection at http://www.cisco.com/go/netacad, and then

select Academy and Class Search; or go directly to the search tool at:
http://locators.netacad.net/cnams/locators/AcademyClassLocator.jsp.

B. Submit an application form at http://prospect.netacad.net/cnacs/pub-doc/new_acad_prospect.shtml.

Step 2: We will contact you for more information.

A. The coordinator from the Regional Academy will contact you to describe the services, support, and
commitment needed to become a Local Academy.

All Regional Academies offer the same training, curriculum, and Academy support. Additional
requirements and services may vary between sites.

B. The online Academy application will be forwarded to the appropriate Academy coordinator for your
geographic region. You will receive an e-mail within one week for an informational interview.

We will review the information submitted in the application, discuss your educational organization’s
ability to offer the program and your level of interest, and answer your questions.

Step 3: Determine training, technology, and lab setup needs.

You and your Regional Academy will discuss training schedules, cost recovery charges, and support services to
work out an acceptable arrangement for services. The Regional Academy will help your Academy determine
technology needs for the curriculum.

We suggest using the Cisco Networking Academy cost calculator to help you plan your budget for initial start-
up costs. Your Regional Academy can access this tool for you.

Step 4: Register online and schedule training.

Once the Regional Academy approves you as a new Local Academy, the Regional Academy sends an e-mail to
the Local Academy’s main contact with information for logging on to the community server. Main contacts
register themselves and their organization online and schedule training.

Step 5: Become certified instructors.

Instructors must complete training and become certified to be qualified to teach in the Academy program. They
must pass the online final exam with a score of 80 percent or better and pass a practical exam at the end of each
semester. Regional Academy instructors train Local Academy instructors.

Step 6: Launch your program.

During training, instructors learn how to set up the lab for training and access all the materials they need to
launch a successful Cisco Networking Academy.

All contents are Copyright © 1992–2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information.
 Additional Resources
• Learn how to promote IT careers; go to: www.cisco.com/go/promoteitcareers.

• For more information about the Cisco Networking Academy, visit:

http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/academy/About.html.

Why Explore a Career in Information Technology?

• Certification Magazine, Hot Jobs & Skills for 2007:

http://www.certmag.com/articles/templates/CM_gen_Article_template.asp?articleid=2521&zoneid=1

• CNNMoney.com, Skilled Worker Shortage Hurts U.S.:

http://money.cnn.com/2007/01/04/news/economy/jobs_outlook/index.htm

• Job data resources:

U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics:
http://data.bls.gov/oes/search.jsp
State-level job projections
http://www.projectionscentral.com

• Robert Half Technology, CIOs Project Solid Growth in First-Quarter Hiring: Largest Net Increase in
Hiring Levels Since 2001, Survey Shows:
http://www.roberthalftechnology.com

Mind Wide Open is a trademark of the

Cisco Networking Academy Program.

All contents are Copyright © 1992–2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information.