Cisco Learning Partner Program

Personnel

All required personnel must be full-time staff or individuals contracted exclusively to act as contractors on behalf of the partner. All required personnel must reside in the Authorized Delivery Area where the partner's executed agreement is valid. Authorized Delivery Area means the geographic area(s) a Learning Partner is authorized by Cisco to offer and deliver Authorized Training Courses (i.e. Cisco Standard Courses or Cisco Derived Courses*). Cisco requires proof of contract for the program year for all full-time contractors.

All personnel required to meet program requirements listed in the table below must be entered in Partner Self Service (PSS) under the Learning Partner and entered in the Learning Partner Management System (LPMS). This includes all certified staff and CCSIs. Learning Partners must properly maintain all personnel information, including required certified staff and CCSI, up to date in the Learning Partner Management System (LPMS).

Certified Cisco Systems Instructors (CCSI)

Learning Partners must deliver all Authorized Training Courses using a CCSI qualified to teach the specific course. A CCSI (Certified Cisco Systems Instructor) is an individual who has been certified by Cisco as an instructor, remains in good standing and is currently sponsored by a Cisco Learning Partner in good standing. The number of CCSIs and the certifications they will need to hold are detailed below. The Learning Program Website also maintains current CCSI program details.

The personnel requirements for Associate level depend upon the courses to be offered. Personnel in different job roles are required and details on the roles are available in the Job Roles Overview section below.

Personnel - Learning Partner Associate Limited to Associate Level Courses

The table below lists staff required for the Associate level. Associate level courses are those that prepare the students for CCNA, CCNA concentrations or CCDA certifications.

Job Roles Overview

Account Manager

The individual responsible for the day-to-day support of a particular customer's account with a business, and who serves as the primary point of contact between the customer and the Learning Partner for all Cisco Training needs.

Cisco Engagement Manager

Learning Partner must have at least one individual assigned as the point-of-contact for Learning Partner Program related management.

Lab Manager

The individual responsible for all labs (onsite and remote) used for Cisco courses.

Instructor

Means an individual who has been certified as a CCSI, remains in good standing, and is currently sponsored by a Learning Partner in good standing.

As a reminder, while the Learning Partner is approved for all courses, they are limited to the course offerings*** that can be delivered through a CCSI who is certified to teach the specific course. A Learning Partner may use its own CCSIs or contract CCSIs from other Learning Partners.

Certification Hierarchy

Some career certifications override others so that individuals can meet the job category requirement. Please review the hierarchy details which designations may replace others in the table below.

* A Cisco Standard Course means any course pertaining to Cisco Products taught in a format and using the materials specified by Cisco. Cisco Derived Course means any work or course created by Learning Partner (including without limitation any collective works, compilations, condensations, editorial revisions, annotations, elaborations, translations, derivative works or modifications of the Cisco Content or Cisco Products) which includes any material created by or supplied by Learning Partner or a third party and which incorporates, modifies or includes any portion of the Cisco Content or the Cisco Products.

** A Cisco Standard Course means any course pertaining to Cisco Products taught in a format and using the materials specified by Cisco. A Cisco Derived Course means any work or course created by Learning Partner (including without limitation any collective works, compilations, condensations, editorial revisions, annotations, elaborations, translations, derivative works or modifications of the Cisco Content or Cisco Products) which includes any material created by or supplied by Learning Partner or a third party and which incorporates, modifies or includes any portion of the Cisco Content or the Cisco Products.

*** Offerings are the collective Authorized Training Courses made available for sale by a Learning Partner under the Learning Partner Program.

Learning Partner must provide certain Learning Services as, for example, evaluations, active website, and online registration.

Depending on the Learning Partner level (Associate or Specialized), some Learning Services will be mandatory and others will be elective.

Learning Partners may create any service under the terms of the agreement or as a result of a cooperative agreement with another partner or a third party. Any other partner or third party must meet the requirements that Cisco specifies, in its sole discretion, for delivering learning services.

The Learning Partner Associate must offer a minimum of 5 Learning Services. The table below lists the mandatory services.

The Learning Partner Associate must offer a minimum of 2 elective Learning Services. Description of each elective follows below.

Standard Learning Services Overview

Post Course Evaluations

Learning Partners must:

• Submit student evaluations of all training courses using the Metrics that Matter (MTM) evaluation system within 10 working days after the course completion.
• Have a quarterly participation response rate for student evaluations in MTM of fifty-percent (50%) or better.

Online Registration

Customers must be able to register for a training offering via the partner's website using Web-based forms or e-mail. Ideally, a learning management system will handle this registration.

Active Website

Customers must be able to view the full range of services that the Learning Partner offers through its website. This site should:

• Include up-to-date scheduling, information about how to achieve Cisco Career Certifications, and descriptions of all the training courses that the Learning Partner offers
• Be well designed and interactive

VUE Testing

Learning Partners must obtain authorization from at least one of Cisco's approved testing vendors (currently Pearson VUE, and possibly other vendors in the future).

E-commerce Capability

Learning Partner must provide customers the ability to pay for training online, using any of the payment methods that the partner accepts. This system should have online transaction confirmation capability.

Training Needs Analysis

Learning Partners must demonstrate a proven, repeatable, documented process for analyzing customer training needs and have evidence of its use available to Cisco upon request.

Pre- and Post-Class Assessments

Learning Partners must present a series of assessment questions to customers either before the class to determine the exact learning requirements or after the class to determine customer knowledge gained from the training.

Remote Physical labs/ On-Site labs/ Virtual or Simulated Labs

Based on the need to assign lab exercises to students, Learning Partners may choose to provide either onsite physical lab equipment, remote lab equipment, or virtual /simulated tools. Remote labs must be at least equal to the functionality of onsite physical labs. Virtual or simulated tools must mirror the capabilities of physical lab equipment without actually accessing the real hardware or software.

Online Mentoring

Learning Partners must provide customers access to either of the following:

• Subject matter experts on the technical content of the course
• Instructors for educational support before, during, or after the training course
• This access should occur via the Internet, using a recognized instant messaging, e-mail, or learning management system support tool. Access should also include a response time of 24 hours or less, and/or, ideally, a live chat feature.

Virtual or Simulated Classrooms

Learning Partners delivering instructor-led offerings* online use a simulated or virtual classroom environment for students to attend the sessions. CCSIs deliver the content and a team of subject matter experts coach or support students during the delivery. With this method, the class size can exceed that of a typical physical classroom.

Personal Curriculum Tracking

Learning Partners provide personalized curriculum maps to students. On the Learning Partner's website, students can:

• View their own personal training history
• Track training completed, in progress, or planned

E-learning Consulting Services

In addition to offering a range of courses and delivery modalities, Learning Partners should provide consultancy services such as:

• E-learning infrastructure hardware and software
• Learning management systems
• Customized content
• Learning maps
• Collaborative tools
• Design
• Implementation

Curriculum Development and Enhancement

Learning Partners must:

• Maintain a formal documented course development process based on instructional systems development models
• Provide three examples of finished works completed in the last 12 months using this development process
• Maintain records for the quality assurance process, including:
  • Alpha and beta design and technical reviews
  • Editing
  • Proofreading
  • Integration
  • Employ development staff with formal instructional design training and experience
  • Have at least one subject matter expert dedicated to writing and review for each course development project who has a relevant Cisco Career Certification, Cisco Qualified Specialist, or CCSI designation

* Offerings are the collective Authorized Training Courses made available for sale by a Learning Partner under the Learning Partner Program.

Business Location

Learning Partners must maintain a physical, non-residential office where customer-facing meetings will be conducted, and where day-to-day business operations occur. This physical, non-residential location must be recorded in Partner Self Service (PSS). This will be referred as the Learning Partner's primary place of business.

Authorized Training Course Delivery

The following validates a Learning Partner's ability to deliver the required courses:

• Dedicated certified instructor for a specified course for the program year: Learning Partners must have a dedicated contract covering the program year with any instructors who are contractors.
• Proven access to company-owned lab equipment or documented access to Cisco or remote lab learning partner equipment: Partners must establish and maintain ownership or access for the program year.

* Country Grouping means a set of one or more countries. Aligned country grouping is aligned with Cisco's sales country groupings except where, [as in the case of the European Economic Area (EEA)], there is an obligation by law to allow trade beyond the countries defined by Cisco's sales management as a sales country grouping. To learn which countries are aligned to each Zone and Country Grouping, please refer to the Country Mapping PDF.

Training Course Offerings* and Authorized Area

Learning Partners are limited to offering open-enrollment Training Courses in their Authorized Area. The Authorized Area for a Learning Partner is based upon:

1. The country in which the Learning Partner has its principal place of business (as defined in the Learning Partner Management System) and
2. The Learning Partner Level (Associate or Specialized)

Associate level Learning Partners are limited to countries in their Country Grouping** while Specialized Learning Partners are limited to countries within their Zone.

Learning Partners may offer private training courses in any geography. Private offerings* are defined as classes that are non-public, have closed attendance, and are delivered on a specific customer demand.

Public solicitation or advertisement for any such offering is prohibited, however, a Learning Partner's ability to provide private training courses on-site may be advertised on their company website or in general distribution advertisements.

Program Requirements and Authorized Area

Learning Partners that seek to operate in more than one Authorized Area must meet the requirements for each of the Authorized Areas in which they wish to operate with unique resources that must located physically in that Authorized Area (physical location, personnel, etc.).
Learning Partner personnel that will be counted to meet the requirements must be associated with the Learning Partner in the Partner Self Service tool.

For a Learning Partner Associate, the Authorized Area is all countries in the same Country Grouping.**

* Offerings are the collective Authorized Training Courses made available for sale by a Learning Partner under the Learning Partner Program.

**Country Grouping means a set of one or more countries. Aligned country grouping is aligned with Cisco's sales country groupings except where, [as in the case of the European Economic Area (EEA)], there is an obligation by law to allow trade beyond the countries defined by Cisco's sales management as a sales country grouping. To learn which countries are aligned to each Zone and Country Grouping, please refer to the Country Mapping PDF.

Business Plan*

If asked by its Learning Partner Channel Manager,** the Learning Partner should provide a Business Plan* covering a minimum of 12-months describing: Sales Forecasts and minimum commitment to Cisco, target market segments, geographic coverage, value proposition and differentiation strategy, resources allocated and marketing investments planned.

The goal for the business plan* is to allow the WWLPC team to provide enhanced guidance and collaborative planning with the Learning Partner. Cisco has a vested interest in successful Learning Partners that are effectively delivering courses to the marketplace.

Purchase Relationship

Learning Partners purchase course kits either:
(a) Directly from the Learning Store, or Gilmore (Gilmore Global Logistic Services operates as the Cisco e-commerce vendor which supports or performs Cisco's ordering, fulfillment, billing and reporting functions including course kit fulfillment and corresponding collections and acquiring and reporting royalties to Cisco associated to Authorized Training Course content.)
Or
(b) Indirectly, via Cisco Learning Distributors (CLD).

Associates will buy course kits via Cisco Learning Distributors (CLD), unless the Learning Partner Associate participates in a specific program that involves direct purchase from Cisco, limited to the conditions of each specific program.

* A (Partner) Business Plan means a document created by the Learning Partner that is reviewed and approved by Cisco, describing the Learning Partner's go-to-market plan and associated allocated resources for a specified period of time.

** Learning Partner Channel Manager (LPCM) means the role within the Cisco Worldwide Learning Partner Channel organization responsible for Learning Partner account management and business development.

Instructor Rating and Customer Satisfaction

All standard Cisco and Derivative Work Authorized Training Courses require student evaluations. Learning Partners receive instructor ratings and customer satisfaction (which includes feedback on the course and training facility) from student evaluations generated by Metrics that Matter (MTM).

All partners must have an MTM account and must direct students to fill out evaluations at the completion of each Cisco course, including Derivative Works courses. The following table lists the minimum ratings each Learning Partner must achieve with its CCSIs

The table below lists the minimum ratings that each partner must achieve for "Overall customer satisfaction." The minimum ratings differ by geography.

Learning Partners must maintain a participation response rate for student evaluations in MTM of fifty percent (50%) or better for both Cisco authorized and Derivative Works courses. The participation response rate may be reviewed by Cisco at program mid-year, program year-end, at time of audit or at Cisco's discretion. The participation response rate is measured by the number of student evaluations in Metrics that Matter divided by the kits purchased and royalties paid to Cisco for derived courses.*

Student Demographics

Learning Partner agrees to collect, store and provide to Cisco on a regular basis, information that will allow Cisco to establish demographics and measure the impact of Cisco's Training. Cisco will require data about all classes delivered, including but not limited to the names of the students in each class, CCSI id, date, location and individual CSCO IDs. The process for this data collection and specific data requirements and formats will be listed in Program Requirements area. In all cases, Learning Partner will advise students that information is being shared with Cisco and disclose to students that Cisco may contact them directly regarding course updates and/information unless students request that Cisco not do so. In the event Cisco makes available a system to collect that information directly from the student, Learning Partner will encourage each student to registers in that tool for each class he or she attends.

* A Cisco Derived Course means any work or course created by Learning Partner (including without limitation any collective works, compilations, condensations, editorial revisions, annotations, elaborations, translations, derivative works or modifications of the Cisco Content or Cisco Products) which includes any material created by or supplied by Learning Partner or a third party and which incorporates, modifies or includes any portion of the Cisco Content or the Cisco Products.

Performance Rankings

As a way to allow Cisco, its customers and its partners to identify Learning Partner performance in a geographic area or in a technology, Cisco may publish and make publicly available the Learning Partners' ranking, CCSI rankings and customer satisfaction grades for both Learning Partners and CCSIs. As a condition of participation in the Learning Partner Program, the Learning Partner acknowledges and agrees to the disclosure of this information.

Tools

Partner Locator

The Partner Locator found on Cisco.com (Cisco's external website) is available to all Learning Partners. This service provides the Learning Partner with the opportunity to connect with other Cisco Learning Partners, Channel Partners and customers who are interested in complementary services.

Global Learning Locator

Customers searching for a Cisco Authorized learning offering have the Global Learning Locator (GLL) available for their use. Depending on the information entered into the system by the Learning Partner in the Learning Partner Management System, the Learning Partner's course details will be displayed to the potential student, giving the student the ability to link directly to the selected Learning Partner's website for online registration, e-commerce, or contact through the URL or email alias provided. The Learning Partner is responsible for notifying Cisco via the GLL on Cisco.com of any changes to its training course offerings* and schedules as soon as possible. The Learning Partner must use the GLL for the posting of its public offerings* authorized under this Agreement.

* Offerings are the collective Authorized Training Courses made available for sale by a Learning Partner under the Learning Partner Program.

Course Cancellations

Learning Partner must cancel no more than ten percent (10%) of all courses scheduled in the Global Learning Locator.

Brand and Marketing Guidelines

The Learning Partner must adhere to all brand and marketing guidelines as applicable to Cisco Partners and, additionally, to all specific rules defined in this website. Cisco brand guidelines are made available to Learning Partners via the secured Learning Partner websites.

Logo

Cisco Learning Partner logos are designed for the exclusive use of Cisco Learning Partners who meet the program criteria and have a signed agreement with Cisco. The Cisco Learning Partner logos give Partners a way to communicate to their customers that the training or services offered are authorized by Cisco.

Learning Partners must use only the logo that corresponds to the company partner level.

Please refer to the logo usage guidelines which can be found on the secured Learning Partner websites. Except as expressly authorized in writing by Cisco, Learning Partners may use the logos only as provided in the guidelines document and the Cisco Trademark policy. The terms described in these guidelines are in addition to all other terms and conditions of a written agreement with Cisco. Use of the logos indicates agreement to be bound by the guidelines and terms and conditions as set forth in the guidelines document.

Lab and Equipment Rental

Each course contains a Product Information Checklist (PIC) of required equipment and software. Learning Partners must review the PIC for each course offered and have available either in-class lab equipment, or remote lab equipment from Cisco or another Learning Partner. Learning Partners must prove with documentation that they have established and maintained lab equipment for the 12-month program.

Student Certificates

All Cisco Learning Partners must have a Metrics that Matter (MTM) account and must direct students to complete evaluations at the conclusion of each Cisco standard and Derivative Works course. After the evaluations are submitted the MTM system generates a downloadable and printable course certificate for the student previously approved by the MTM Learning Partner Administrator.

Self Print of Course Kits

Cisco does not permit partners to self print Cisco course kits unless they participate in a pre-approved program that allows them to, provided they comply with the corresponding program rules and limitations.

Learning Partners must deliver all Authorized training courses (i.e. Cisco Standard Courses or Cisco Derived Courses*) through a Certified Cisco Systems Instructor (CCSI) qualified to teach the specific course. A CCSI (Certified Cisco Systems Instructor) is an individual who has been certified by Cisco as an instructor, remains in good standing and is currently sponsored by a Cisco Learning Partner in good standing.

Each CCSI must sign and adhere to the CCSI Agreement outlining all instructor dependencies and obligations. The CCSI Forum has information about the CCSI program and is a community set up for CCSI collaboration and communication. The CCSI Forum is a private community for active CCSIs only, and access details may be obtained from the Team Wiki Spaces Webpage.

Learning Partner must maintain the course certifications of all its instructors in the Learning Partner Management System (LPMS). CCSI course certifications must be listed in LPMS prior to the CCSI teaching any authorized Cisco courses. Instructor must identify one Learning Partner as their associated company to maintain CCSI status. Instructors not associated with a Learning Partner are not considered a valid CCSI and cannot teach Authorized training courses.

A CCSI and Learning Partner may only use and reference CCSI credentials for Authorized Training Courses offered through a Learning Partner. Any use of CCSI credentials outside of this authorized use may result in revocation of CCSI status. If a Learning Partner contracts another CCSI to teach an Authorized Training Course, it is the responsibility of the Learning Partner to verify the CCSI is an active CCSI associated with a Learning Partner and holds the appropriate certifications to teach the course. Periodic audits will validate all Cisco courses were taught using CCSIs appropriately certified to teach each course.

CCSI and CCIE Protection

All Learning Partners must adhere to the following protection policy regarding attrition or hiring of a CCIE or CCSI from another Learning Partner or Cisco channel partner.

CCSI Attrition

If losing a CCIE or CCSI renders a Learning Partner below the program requirements, the Learning Partner must notify Cisco of its noncompliance within 30 days. After Cisco receives said notice, the Learning Partner may qualify for a six-month extension to replace the CCIE or CCSI and remain in the Learning partner program. A Learning Partner who voluntarily terminates the employment of a CCIE or CCSI may not qualify for the time extension. During the extension period, as long as the partner meets all other requirements, it will retain its Learning Partner status.

A Learning Partner does not notify Cisco of its noncompliance within 30 days and Cisco identifies the deficiency, Cisco may give the Learning Partner an extension of 60 days to replace the CCIE or CCSI to remain in the Learning Partner program. This extension period will begin when Cisco notifies the Learning Partner of its noncompliance.

CCSI Hiring

If a Learning Partner hires a CCIE or CCSI away from another Learning Partner or Cisco channel partner, Cisco will not count that individual toward the Learning Partner's requirements for 12 months from the date of hire. However, if another Learning Partner terminated the CCIE or CCSI, this rule does not apply, and the hiring Learning Partner must submit documentation supporting the claim.

* A Cisco Standard Course means any course pertaining to Cisco Products taught in a format and using the materials specified by Cisco. A Cisco Derived Course means any work or course created by Learning Partner (including without limitation any collective works, compilations, condensations, editorial revisions, annotations, elaborations, translations, derivative works or modifications of the Cisco Content or Cisco Products) which includes any material created by or supplied by Learning Partner or a third party and which incorporates, modifies or includes any portion of the Cisco Content or the Cisco Products.

Audit

Learning Partners must maintain complete and accurate books and records of each Authorized Training Course (i.e. Cisco Standard Course or Cisco Derived Course*) delivered to any third party. These records must confirm the Learning Partner's compliance with the payment and reporting obligations described herein.

Upon 10 business days prior written notice and during the partner's regular business hours, a partner must allow Cisco or an independent representative to audit and examine the Learning Partner's books, records, and inventories of Cisco content** to verify compliance with Learning Partner Program requirements and policies.

Termination

Any party, Cisco or the Learning Partner, is able to terminate the participation in this program at any time for convenience by formally communicating to the other party with a 45 day advanced notice. Non compliance to program policies could determinate termination. After termination, all rights described in Learning Partner Program website / documentation are revoked. In case the termination is requested by Cisco, the Learning Partner will only be able to apply again to the Learning Partner Program after a period of no less than one year.

* A Cisco Standard Course means any course pertaining to Cisco Products taught in a format and using the materials specified by Cisco. A Cisco Derived Course means any work or course created by Learning Partner (including without limitation any collective works, compilations, condensations, editorial revisions, annotations, elaborations, translations, derivative works or modifications of the Cisco Content or Cisco Products) which includes any material created by or supplied by Learning Partner or a third party and which incorporates, modifies or includes any portion of the Cisco Content or the Cisco Products.

** Cisco Content means (a) materials provided by Cisco, directly or indirectly, to Learning Partner for delivery of Cisco Standard Courses, including but not limited to software, CD-ROMs, training manuals, guides, books and materials; (b) other materials provided by Cisco, directly or indirectly, to Learning Partner to provide Cisco related training; (c) certain Cisco Marks (i.e. Cisco's trademarks, trade names, service marks, service names, logos or trade dress); and (d) the visual appearance and “look and feel” of displays, animation, menus, layouts, user interfaces, graphics and other copyright elements contained in the Cisco Products.