PLAN-IT Toolkits

More than 200 people from Networking Academies throughout Africa attended Africa Sustainability Roadshow events in February 2006 to learn more about PLAN-IT toolkits focused on the Gender Initiative, Workforce Development, and Financial Sustainability. Academies in Accra, Dakar, Johannesburg, and Nairobi hosted the two-day events, which were sponsored by the MEA team at Cisco.

The Africa Sustainability Roadshow provided legal main contacts, instructors, and other Academy representatives with the technical and business skills needed to manage and expand the Cisco Networking Academy Program in their countries.

Participants learned about PLAN-IT applications and benefits through a comprehensive review of their current Academy status. They also learned how to establish strategic goals for long-term success in the three focus areas of the PLAN-IT toolkits. Academies planned for the following year, based on the importance of integrating financial sustainability, workforce development, gender inclusion, and a strong technical curriculum.

Attendees then focused on the technical expertise required to effectively manage a successful Academy. Topics ranged from IP telephony to common problems with lab equipment.

Cisco developed the PLAN-IT toolkits and the Sustainability Roadshow in response to feedback from Academies in Africa to ultimately help strengthen the Cisco Networking Academy Program throughout the continent.

The toolkits allow Academies to create tailored programs to meet their needs based on institutional, social, and financial parameters. The Roadshow facilitated greater regional collaboration, establishing a community of African Academies. In turn, Cisco representatives learned a great deal about the challenges faced by Academies in Africa and the success stories of individuals.