The opportunities created by the Internet Economy are universal - they are open to anyone who wants to participate in this worldwide phenomenon. Restrictions that exist in everyday life, whether physical, geographical or financial, have less relevance on the Internet. For social groups for whom the job market can be a minefield, the Internet economy offers great potential, both in terms of education and employment. This relates particularly to people with physical disabilities, as the Internet can potentially open up a multitude of possibilities.
As all sections of society move into the Internet Economy, the demand for people with networking expertise has grown dramatically as these professionals are vital for building and developing the networks needed to sustain the Internet. However, recent research commissioned by Cisco from IDC, shows that in the UK alone, there will be a shortfall of 709,696 skilled networking professionals by 2004. The job market, which can present challenges for the physically disabled, now views any member of society with networking skills as a valuable commodity. The Internet plays a dual role in this trend, both driving the demand for networking professionals, as well as providing the solution to the problem, as learning on the Internet, e-learning, makes training and education available to everyone.
Cisco is addressing this shortfall through the formation of the Cisco Networking Academy Program in 1998 - a program working with schools and institutions across the world to promote the learning of networking skills. The Academy program has had unparalleled success all across Europe, the Middle East and Africa and there are currently over 9500 Academies, with more than 268,000 students in 141 countries/territories/entities. In the UK alone, there are over 2800 Academies. This program is open to everyone, which is illustrated by an UK Local Academy based at Portland College, a college for the disabled in Nottinghamshire. Resources are available to maximize the potential of the disabled students, whilst at the same time, to tap a vital resource to boost the numbers of builders and developers of the new Internet Economy.
Portland College, the first college for disabled participating in the program in the world, is an excellent example of how the Internet can be used to liberate talented individuals. Based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, Portland College was established solely for students that have to re-train owing to disabilities caused by accidents at work or disabilities from birth.
Currently in the UK, there are over 5.2 million disabled people of working age, account for nearly 18% of the working age population. However only 3 million disabled people are currently in employment, representing a mere 11% of the UK workforce. (stats not updated, unable to find) This represents an untapped resource - over a million of the disabled people on benefits want to work but cannot owning to a lack of suitable qualifications and discrimination - which is why programs such as the Academy program at Portland College are so important.
Portland College is the foremost college of its type in the UK. It is a residential college catering for students of all ages from 20 to 55, providing first class education and training for students. The aim of the college is to provide a 24-hour caring environment in which individual students can develop their full potential and become more independent, through gaining self-esteem and preparing for employment. Dedicated and professional teams of therapists, nurses, personal tutors and care staff support the students as they strive to reach these goals.
Of the 300 students residing at the college, 45 have enrolled in the Networking Academy course, which started in January 2000. The Academy courses - two weeks each - run concurrent with the two main IT National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) courses the college offers. Academy students include Gurdev Marwaha who has had a lower back cartilage problem owing to a previous carpentry job and Roy Richardson, who was a potter prior to a stroke affecting the left hand side of his body in 1996.
The vocational tutor on the course, Kevin Franklin, believes that the combination of the Networking Academy qualification and the NVQs provides students with a crucial edge over other people in the job market. "The benefit the course provides the students with is obvious. Our students learn skills that are in very high demand which raises their self esteem and places them on a more equal footing with able bodied people when they are looking for employment." commented Kevin.
Margaret Hodge, the UK Employment Minister speaking at the launch of the Academy program at Portland College, agrees: "We have thought for too long that disabled people do not have these opportunities. There is a need to enable the disabled with value and self-esteem and contribution to society by allowing them to work in mainstream jobs."
At the end of the courses, the college organizes work placements with a view to full-time employment. Already students have secured work placements owing to their computing and networking experience. The value of the Cisco training is evident.
Kevin said: "Those students who have met with potential employers, experience a sudden increase in interest once they mention their experience on the Academy course. Employers' eyes just light up."
Mike Couzens, Cisco Director for Marketing and Training across Europe, agrees. "Cisco strongly believes in the empowering strength of the Internet and e-learning. The Internet can liberate the potential of all sections of society and makes the great opportunities available in the New Economy available to everyone. Society needs to involve everyone in building Internet infrastructure, and the disabled are no exception. The Internet and education work hand in hand to empower all sectors of society."
The course is very popular with the students. One of the students following the current Academy course, Barry Milligan, commented: "I used to have very little confidence in the job market, but the computer and networking skills that I am learning at Portland have enabled me to genuinely compete. My skills are in great demand and the course has given me authority that many able-bodied people don't have. It creates a more level playing field and I now feel more confident using the Internet and other new technologies." Places on the course are still limited at the moment, as students have to be referred on to the Academy course by Disability Employment Advisors who assess each person and decide if the Academy program fits their needs. As these advisors become familiar with what the course offers, and as their understanding increases, so will the number of people referred to the course. It is already clear that the Academy program offers very valuable training and Kevin believes he will soon by inundated, once the disabled community as a whole realize what a great opportunity for liberating potential the Cisco Networking Academy Program represents.
To read other Cisco Networking Academy Program case study stories and discover more about the Networking Academy program visit us on: http://www.cisco.com/edu/emea
.
Guest