CCSN partnership with Cisco expanding

Grace Leong

Friday, Nov. 22, 2002 | 11:03 a.m.

The success of Cisco Systems Inc.'s e-learning program -- Cisco Networking Academy -- since its launch five years ago is helping to diversify the Nevada economy, program organizers say.

The program at the Community College of Southern Nevada is part of CCSN's effort to strengthen the local economy and attract more technology firms to the state.

John Morgridge, chairman of Cisco, a San Jose, Calif.-based networking technology giant, on Wednesday said strong demand has prompted Cisco to help fund the development of a $20 million, 80,000-square-foot academic center at CCSN's Cheyenne campus to house the growing program.

Launched in 1997, the Cisco Networking Academy program is an e-learning program that provides web-based content, online assessment, instructor training and support and prepares students for industry standard certifications.

Nearly 5,000 students at 17 Cisco academies established and operated by CCSN at CCSN colleges and high schools in Clark, Lincoln and Nye counties are enrolled in the program or have graduated as Cisco Certified Network Associates (CCNA) and Cisco Certified Network Professionals (CCNP.)

Downplaying concerns about the economic downturn and the weak technology sector on the availability of technology jobs, Morgridge cited a recent U.S. Department of Labor study that showed the computer industry continues to register the fastest wage and salary employment growth among all industries.

"In terms of technology job potential today, employers' requirements as to their workers' capability have risen. It is more difficult now to get good technology jobs," he said during an address at CCSN's Cheyenne campus. "But there's still a lot of unfilled demand on a worldwide basis. We have to continue to run hard to keep up. One of the biggest challenges we have is getting kids interested in technology."

Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, agreed, citing a Cisco study that found demand for com- puter engineers, computer support specialists, systems analysts and database administrators will grow by nearly 100 percent over the next five years.

"The United States is experiencing a shortfall of close to 850,000 IT (Information Technology) professionals, while Europe is experiencing a shortage of more than 1.5 million," said Rawson, who attended Wednesday's event featuring Morgridge.

CCNA graduates can expect to earn between $59,000 to $69,000 a year, while CCNP graduates can earn up to $79,500 annually, Morgridge said.

Victoria Pepin, a student of the Cisco Networking Academy program since 1998 and a former instructional aide at the Las Vegas Day School, said she was promoted to computer technician since she enrolled in the program.

"I had no knowledge of computers when I first started. I took a PC troubleshooting class to get the basics of computer knowledge and after I finished that course, my instructor then suggested I take up the CCNA class," she said. "I wanted to take the course because being an instructional aide wasn't enough anymore. I needed to do something with my life. My goal is to be a senior networking administrator at the Day School."

Warren Hioki, associate dean of the CCSN Cheyenne Campus' Department of Engineering Technology, said the Cisco Networking Academy program is a part of a government initiative to build strong tech-based academic programs within the state.

"We are trying to attract the Intels, Ciscos and Motorolas to Nevada. These companies are looking at Las Vegas because of our positive business infrastructure and the fact that we have no state and inventory taxes. In the past, Nevada wasn't known for having a strong education base, but people are starting to notice Nevada now," Hioki said.

"For instance, Hughes Network Systems, (a Germantown, Md.-based owner of satellite TV giant DirecTV) is strongly considering Henderson for its headquarters in the United States because of our strong Cisco academies at the CCSN," he said.

This fall semester, there are 333 students enrolled in CCNA courses and 42 students enrolled in CCNP courses at the CCSN Cheyenne, Henderson and Western High Tech Center campuses. Since the program's launch, more than 2,000 students received CCNA degrees and 47 have graduated with CCNP degrees from these three CCSN campuses.