Cisco provides a Web-based curriculum and requires instructors to attend regional academies. Schools must provide an instructor, classroom and networking equipment for a lab. In high schools, curriculum takes two academic years to complete and results in students becoming Cisco Network Certified Associates. Schools get trained support staff, and local businesses find the IT help they desperately need. In addition to providing students with training that is immediately relevant in the workplace, we are also providing technicians to run a school network.
Schools find it near-impossible to afford qualified technical people.
School information services professionals are also eligible for Cisco training. In addition to high schools, Microsoft AATP partners include two-year colleges. For us, this is a problem because our program is so successful kids get jobs even before graduating. Microsoft has also worked in partnership with the American Association for Community Colleges to create the Microsoft Working Connection Schools, which pairs mature technology training programs at two-year schools with developing technology training programs at other schools. AAJC provides discounts on training materials developed by Sun for the corporate training market.