Establishing IT Networking Technologies Academy to Train IT Professionals

After the burst of the IT bubble in 2000, many IT companies had gone bankrupt. This caused a sharp decline in the number of people taking IT-related courses, and the IT industry was once faced with manpower shortage. Fortunately, quite a few of Hong Kong companies had put an effort in training IT professionals, allowing the industry to continue to thrive. Cisco Systems (HK) Ltd., the winner of the Hong Kong Information and Communications Technology Grand Award 2008, was one of the companies that made an effort in training IT professionals. The Cisco Networking Academy® Program was founded in the US in 1997, and was launched in Hong Kong and Macau in 1998. At present, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA®) and Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP®) courses are offered free to over 40 secondary schools and higher education institutes in Hong Kong, benefiting more than 3,000 local students annually.

CCNA and CCNP certified courses provide an online learning platform that is rich in multi-media content and software to train IT professionals.

According to Barbara CHIU, General Manager of Cisco Hong Kong and Macau, CCNA and CCNP certified courses provide an online learning platform that is rich in multi-media content and software. "These IT networking courses, via the academics of universities, vocational training institutes and secondary schools, well aroused the widespread awareness of information technology for the younger generation and equipped them with a good technical foundation for future use. The effort of the company in delivering the courses with Chinese translated teaching materials also demonstrates its determination in reaching more potential students", said CHIU.

Multi-sector Collaborations to Lay the Foundation of General Education

In fact, Cisco Hong Kong has been partnering with the government, NGOs, education and business sectors to contribute to local education and community development, including: "Cisco Night School" that provides students free training courses on IT networking; "Cisco Youth Ambassador Programme" by student volunteer group; free CCNA training courses for secondary school IT teachers, etc.

CHIU concluded that the worldwide recognition of this program provides the students with the qualification necessary for entering into the industry, and reminds them of the importance of continuous education in their career path.