Cisco has announced its goal to train 10 million people in digital and cybersecurity skills over the next 10 years, across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The number of people to be trained is part of Cisco’s 10-year ambition to empower 25 million people with digital skills worldwide through Cisco’s Networking Academy.
This flagship programme is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and has reached 17.5 million students across 190 countries. Since starting operations in EMEA, it has spread to 120 countries in the region and trained over 6.3 million students – through 5,800 partnerships – with educational institutions and organisations offering Networking Academy courses.
The future of innovation, growth and global competitiveness depends on building a strong digital economy which in turn is dependent upon a digitally skilled workforce. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2025, advances in technology and automation will eliminate 85 million jobs while creating 97 million new jobs globally.
Cisco aspires to equip millions of people around the world with the technical and digital skills required for these new jobs by empowering the workforce of the future through the Networking Academy.
“We need a global workforce equipped with digital skills to develop sustainable and secure businesses and more equitable societies,” said Guy Diedrich, SVP and Chief Innovation Officer, Cisco. “Building a local pool of next-generation talent is critical to long-term social inclusion and economic resilience.”
