At Cisco, we imagine 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 lately launched Undertaking 525: an modern curriculum that helps IT and networking professionals put together for the distinguished Cisco Licensed Internetwork Knowledgeable. With a give attention to reaching learners in areas the place technical certifications might be cost-prohibitive and restricted, corresponding 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 provides structured, outcome-based studying paths and certifications. Whereas Undertaking 525 is a flagship CCIE preparation program, Be taught with Cisco enhances it by offering intensive 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 around the globe, together with in areas corresponding 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 international locations corresponding 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 knowledge divide is essential.”
This regional focus helps Cisco’s Function 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 important uptake and success throughout the area and addressing the infrastructure and financial challenges distinctive to those markets.
Considering like an skilled
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 advanced 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 business, with demanding necessities and excessive failure charges, professionals who search this credential usually face steep studying curves that require advanced problem-solving.
The expert-level mindset that Undertaking 525 helps is bolstered by a finely tuned curriculum, top-tier instruction, and a powerful peer neighborhood, all designed to bridge the hole between understanding and utility. Members don’t simply research networking; they be taught 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 might apply them successfully in real-world eventualities.
Based on Camp, Undertaking 525 “empowers Cisco Licensed Community Professionals (CCNPs) to advance to expert-level proficiency by 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 nicely, 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 subsequent technology of CCIEs and fostering a tradition of problem-solving and innovation.
Testimonials of affect
NTT, a world expertise and IT providers firm with a powerful presence in Africa, is one in all Cisco’s largest channel companions within the APJC area. This system didn’t simply put together these college students for a certification—it reworked the best way they method challenges, collaborate with friends, and contribute to high-stakes initiatives. Undertaking 525 isn’t only a research plan; it’s a shift in mindset—and it’s producing real-world success.
Based on Mark Jessiman, VP Know-how Options at NTT, “Accessing high quality lab tools and environments with the correct help actually gave our staff the sense of confidence that they had been going to make it by this system and in addition 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 Assets at NTT Information. “In Africa, accessibility is actually the important thing.”
International growth
Undertaking 525’s success in Sub-Saharan Africa has sparked world growth 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 neighborhood.
- 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 growth: With rising demand in the USA, Undertaking 525 might 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 Function by bridging the digital divide, empowering professionals in underserved areas, and cultivating expert-level considering that drives real-world affect.
