by Maria Driscoll

A program that provides advanced information technology (IT) training is now available at three educational institutions in Prince Edward Island, including two high schools.

The Cisco Networking Academy Program is now available at Charlottetown Rural High School, Westisle Composite High School and Holland College.

The Hon. Michael Currie, Minister of Development and Technology; representatives from the Department of Education; Rod Murphy, Cisco Systems; and Dr. Brian McMillan, Vice President of Programs at Holland College visited the Charlottetown Rural IT classroom today to talk with instructors and students.

The Cisco Networking Academy Program is an international success. Launched in October 1997, there are now 9,928 Networking Academy sites established in 147 countries around the globe. Since the Canadian launch of the program in June 1998, more than 340 educational institutions from coast-to-coast have adopted the Cisco Systems Networking Academy program into their curriculum.

"As we continue to grow the technology sector in the province, we will need more and more skilled workers," said Minister Currie. "Cisco is a world leader in network communications, and we are very pleased to be able to help give our youth the opportunity to be trained in this advanced and innovative technology."

The Cisco Networking Academy Program is a comprehensive eight module program available at Holland College. Students at Charlottetown Rural and Westisle, can now receive credit for the first two modules of the Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) while in high school and then complete the program at Holland College following graduation.

Graduates of the academy are prepared to write the CCNA exam, which enables them to work with Cisco products and to apply classroom learning to actual technology challenges. To date approximately 60 students at the two Island high schools have enrolled in the program.

"The Department of Education is pleased to be a partner in this exciting project," said Ken Gunn, Senior Director of Public Education with the Department of Education. "We believe that this program will provide students with an opportunity to further explore information technology and perhaps help them make decisions with regard to future careers."

As part of the Networking Academy program, Holland College became a designated Regional Academy. Teachers at the provincial high schools receive mentoring and initial support as well as their required Cisco training from Holland College. This year, the College has added the advanced level Cisco Certified Networking Professional (CCNP) designation, for which CCNA is a pre-requisite.

"Holland College students and staff and the IT Community in Prince Edward Island will benefit from this training partnership with Cisco,"" stated Brian McMillan at Holland College." As a Regional Academy, the College is now able to provide additional opportunities, not only for College staff, but for IT workers in the province, who want to receive further training as they pursue advanced Cisco accreditation levels."

"As the Internet changes the way companies, governments and communities operate, IT skills and networking professionals are becoming an increasingly important part of the global economy," said Rod Murphy, Major Account Manager for Cisco Systems Canada. " The Networking Academy Program will help Prince Edward Island develop a technologically savvy workforce of the future, teaching students the skills they need to succeed in the information economy."

The Cisco Networking Academy program is funded by the Department of Development and Technology, through Technology PEI Inc., the Department of Education, Holland College, and Cisco Canada.