At Cisco, we consider expertise exists all over the place—however alternative doesn’t. That’s why our Be taught with Cisco packages are designed to open doorways to digital abilities and certifications that may change lives and communities.
In partnership with NIL Studying, we just lately launched Undertaking 525: an revolutionary curriculum that helps IT and networking professionals put together for the distinguished Cisco Licensed Internetwork Knowledgeable. With a concentrate on reaching learners in areas the place technical certifications might be cost-prohibitive and restricted, equivalent to sub-Saharan Africa, Undertaking 525 goals to assist bridge the digital divide.
Undertaking 525 is a part of Cisco’s broader studying ecosystem, which gives structured, outcome-based studying paths and certifications. Whereas Undertaking 525 is a flagship CCIE preparation program, Be taught with Cisco enhances it by offering in depth coaching in automation, safety, AI, and networking applied sciences, supporting professionals worldwide.
Bridging the digital divide
Cisco’s involvement in Undertaking 525 displays its broader dedication to empowering expertise world wide, together with in areas equivalent to Sub-Saharan Africa the place the variety of CCIE-certified professionals has traditionally been low. Undertaking 525 goals to considerably enhance expert-level engineers by making this system extra inexpensive and accessible throughout nations equivalent to South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya.
Martin Camp, Managing Director of NIL Information SA, explains, “This system’s affordability and accessibility are key to its success on this area, the place bridging the digital and information divide is essential.”
This regional focus helps Cisco’s Goal to Powering an Inclusive Future for All by enabling native professionals to achieve world-class abilities and contribute to their communities’ digital transformation.
This method has enabled vital uptake and success throughout the area and addressing the infrastructure and financial challenges distinctive to those markets.
Considering like an knowledgeable
On the planet of elite networking certifications, technical data is barely a part of the equation. True experience lies in the way you suppose. Undertaking 525 facilities round this concept—coaching contributors not simply to memorize options, however to suppose like seasoned consultants. At its core, this system emphasizes psychological simulation and self-verification, empowering engineers to mentally stroll by way of complicated eventualities, anticipate outcomes, and confirm their reasoning earlier than even touching a keyboard.
As a result of the CCIE certification holds the repute as some of the difficult within the networking trade, with demanding necessities and excessive failure charges, professionals who search this credential usually face steep studying curves that require complicated problem-solving.
The expert-level mindset that Undertaking 525 helps is bolstered by way of a finely tuned curriculum, top-tier instruction, and a robust peer group, all designed to bridge the hole between understanding and utility. Members don’t simply examine networking; they study to unravel issues with readability, confidence, and precision as a CCIE.
This system requires a year-long dedication, immersing contributors in rigorous coursework, labs, and sensible workout routines that deepen data and utility abilities to make sure contributors perceive networking ideas and may apply them successfully in real-world eventualities.
In line with Camp, Undertaking 525 “empowers Cisco Licensed Community Professionals (CCNPs) to advance to expert-level proficiency by way of a rigorous, hands-on curriculum tailor-made to the distinctive infrastructure and financial challenges of Sub-Saharan Africa.”
Cisco’s dedication to Undertaking 525 extends internally as effectively, with plans to enroll 200 of its personal engineers from the Technical Help Heart (TAC) and Gross sales. This funding underscores Cisco’s confidence in this system, serving to to develop the following technology of CCIEs and fostering a tradition of problem-solving and innovation.
Testimonials of influence
NTT, a worldwide expertise and IT companies firm with a robust presence in Africa, is one in every of Cisco’s largest channel companions within the APJC area. This system didn’t simply put together these college students for a certification—it remodeled the best way they method challenges, collaborate with friends, and contribute to high-stakes initiatives. Undertaking 525 isn’t only a examine plan; it’s a shift in mindset—and it’s producing real-world success.
In line with Mark Jessiman, VP Expertise Options at NTT, “Gaining access to high quality lab tools and environments with the precise help actually gave our workers the sense of confidence that they have been going to make it by way of this system and likewise the help to beat the challenges that they skilled alongside the best way.”
This help system is a cornerstone of this system’s methodology, because it continues to develop in sub-Saharan Africa. “The burning aspiration of holding that CCIE qualification is one thing that’s seen as an actual certification milestone, shared Kristy Phaal, SVP of Human Sources at NTT Information. “In Africa, accessibility is basically the important thing.”
World enlargement
Undertaking 525’s success in Sub-Saharan Africa has sparked international enlargement plans. This system is launching cohorts in Europe and getting ready for development within the Americas and Asia Pacific.
- European cohorts: Undertaking 525 is getting ready to launch its first European cohort, extending this system’s attain and affect within the networking group.
- Accessibility in Africa: Efforts proceed to make this system inexpensive and accessible, empowering professionals throughout Sub-Saharan Africa with world-class coaching, addressing infrastructure and financial challenges distinctive to the area.
- US enlargement: With rising demand in america, Undertaking 525 could quickly deliver its intensive CCIE-focused curriculum to American professionals. To help this development, strategic planning is underway for occasions, partnerships, and in-person classes.
Undertaking 525 is greater than a certification pathway—it’s a strategic initiative that aligns with Cisco’s Goal by bridging the digital divide, empowering professionals in underserved areas, and cultivating expert-level considering that drives real-world influence.
