Certification Magazine - September 2007 - (Page 24) INSIDE CERTIFICATION Bridging the Networking Skills Gap: Cisco’s New Entry-Level CCENT Certification LORA O’HAVER The most compelling aspect of the human network is how it’s changing the way people connect with one another through communications infrastructures. As the network’s role expands to encompass areas such as IP telephony, video, security and wireless solutions, the pace of change reveals a pressing need for more qualified network technicians at basic and advanced levels. A recent study commissioned by Cisco and conducted by research firm IDC found that in every major geographic region, there is a significant shortfall between the supply of qualified professionals and the demand for networking skills. In some regions of the world, demand exceeds supply by up to 40 percent. Without well-trained people to implement new technologies, companies and individuals cannot enjoy the vast benefits of organizational and personal productivity. Addressing the Skills Gap This skills gap is a serious problem for many reasons. Most customers today want to deploy video, “telepresence,” mobility, unified communications and other technologies that enhance collaboration and reduce the cost of travel. These technologies and services are provided through a strong, highly secure network of routing and switching. As the wave of technology adoption increases at growth rates of 15 percent to 35 percent, customers need to hire many more engineers to design and install networks for their companies. Network upgrades are at an all-time high as companies prepare for the next wave of productivity services. Companies and network integration partners that do not have these skills will fail to meet their end-users’ demands, which ultimately affects their business’ competitiveness and growth. For example, IDC estimates advanced networking technology could grow by 18 percent in Europe next year. Yet, we are not seeing 18 percent more networking engineers enter the industry. Those who are trained to fill this gap can reap the rewards of being in a career with tremendous opportunity and a huge demand for their skills, with no slowdown in sight. The IDC study also showed that emerging markets face the highest demand for advanced networking technologies. And although mature markets in Western Europe face relatively narrow personnel gaps, they require the latest networking technologies, which necessitates advanced training. Staying current with the most recent product innovations enables companies to preserve a competitive edge and support new services that run on the network infrastructure. Cisco’s popular and highly regarded Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) skills-building program has long served as a milestone for qualified networking technicians. Having the CCNA signifies a technician is prepared for a wide range of job titles, including associate network technician, network specialist and associate network engineer. As the world’s networks continue to grow in technological complexity to include unified communications, IP video and converged applications, a CCNA’s skills have kept pace, opening up room for a new credential at the entry level — a recent Cisco survey found that resellers, enterprise customers, service providers and technology support organizations all found value in a certification below the CCNA level. Cisco-authorized learning partners worldwide are similarly enthusiastic about the new certification and the markets it will address. New Entry-Level Certification In recognition of changing market needs, Cisco has revised its introductory networking certification and testing program to map to real-world employment requirements. The Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT) certification focuses on the development of basic network configuration and verification skills, as well as the skills required for positions such as help desk technician and technical support assistant. The certification program’s goal is to cultivate a core of skilled networking technicians worldwide. The CCENT is an accessible point of entry for people beginning a career in networking. It certifies the skills required to successfully install and verify small routed and switched networks, and it is an optional first step to the CCNA certification. 24 CERTIFICATION MAGAZINE September 2007
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