has unveiled plans to offer free coaching to 1.5 million people across the EU as part of a big modern skills drive.
The programs, to be provided through the Cisco Networking Academy, may focus on important skills such as electronic awareness, security, data science, , and AI.
The program also includes teaching for 5, 000 teachers to help them give both technical education and training, with modules focusing exclusively on system usability, syllabus alignment, and teaching strategy development.
” Cisco is committed to supporting the Union and our knowledge partners in developing the skills necessary for thriving in an AI-driven future”, said Cisco chair and CEO .
” This new program strengthens our relationship to build a tenacious and skilled labor ready to meet Europe’s modern transformation and objectives”.
The education for teachers may include training on AI, from basic to intermediate levels, as well as AI’s effect on security, networking, and other IT jobs. Some of this may involve existing programs offered by Cisco, which will work alongside newly-customized programs focused on AI.
However, another set of modules is designed to provide workers with skills related to the modern change, with a particular focus on the automotive and manufacturing sectors.
This innovative Cisco Industrial Networking syllabus, said the organization, likely cover topics such as operating and energy efficiency, innovation and related factories.
Cisco touts long-standing skills help
Cisco has run its Social Academy for more than 27 years, working with 3, 000 partner organizations and over 7, 000 educators across the EU.
It’s trained 3.2 million individuals, including providing security training to a quarter of a million people as part of the EU’s Cyber Skills Academy program.
The tech giant noted its new software is aligned with the EU’s Union of Skills, announced last week and aimed at attracting and retaining the knowledge and skills needed in the German economy.
Improvements are needed in literacy, mathematics, science, and modern knowledge, it said, with a goal of 45 % of students enrolled in STEM vocational education and training and 5 % in ICT PhD programs.
” The Union of Skills is our strategy to help people stay ahead in a rapidly changing world and keep Europe competitive and fair”, said Roxana Mînzatu, executive vice-president for social rights and skills, quality jobs and preparedness.
” We, in Europe, put people first because the success of every person in learning, at work and in life is essential for competitiveness and for a stable and resilient Union”.
The latest skills drive follows a sweeping plan announced last year to help global economies keep pace with AI-related skills deficits.
Unveiled in April 2024, , which is led by Cisco, saw pledges from a host of tech industry heavyweights to upskill and re-skill workers whose jobs are most likely to be impacted by AI and automation.
Microsoft, Accenture, IBM, Google, and SAP were among the firms to announce support for the scheme.
The consortium will work alongside advisors from the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, Communications Workers of America, DIGITALEUROPE, the European Vocational Training Association.