At Cisco, we consider expertise exists all over the place—however alternative doesn’t. That’s why our Study with Cisco applications are designed to open doorways to digital expertise and certifications that may change lives and communities.
In partnership with NIL Studying, we not too long ago launched Venture 525: an progressive curriculum that helps IT and networking professionals put together for the distinguished Cisco Licensed Internetwork Professional. With a concentrate on reaching learners in areas the place technical certifications could be cost-prohibitive and restricted, equivalent to sub-Saharan Africa, Venture 525 goals to assist bridge the digital divide.
Venture 525 is a part of Cisco’s broader studying ecosystem, which provides structured, outcome-based studying paths and certifications. Whereas Venture 525 is a flagship CCIE preparation program, Study 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 Venture 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. Venture 525 goals to considerably enhance expert-level engineers by making this system extra inexpensive and accessible throughout international locations 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 crucial.”
This regional focus helps Cisco’s Goal to Powering an Inclusive Future for All by enabling native professionals to achieve world-class expertise 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.
Pondering like an professional
On the earth of elite networking certifications, technical information is just a part of the equation. True experience lies in the way you suppose. Venture 525 facilities round this concept—coaching members not simply to memorize options, however to suppose like seasoned specialists. At its core, this system emphasizes psychological simulation and self-verification, empowering engineers to mentally stroll by way of advanced situations, anticipate outcomes, and confirm their reasoning earlier than even touching a keyboard.
As a result of the CCIE certification holds the popularity 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 advanced problem-solving.
The expert-level mindset that Venture 525 helps is strengthened by way of a finely tuned curriculum, top-tier instruction, and a powerful peer group, all designed to bridge the hole between understanding and software. Contributors don’t simply examine networking; they study to resolve issues with readability, confidence, and precision as a CCIE.
This system requires a year-long dedication, immersing members in rigorous coursework, labs, and sensible workout routines that deepen information and software expertise to make sure members perceive networking ideas and might apply them successfully in real-world situations.
In accordance with Camp, Venture 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 Venture 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 subsequent era 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 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 way in which they method challenges, collaborate with friends, and contribute to high-stakes tasks. Venture 525 isn’t only a examine plan; it’s a shift in mindset—and it’s producing real-world success.
In accordance with Mark Jessiman, VP Expertise Options at NTT, “Getting access to high quality lab gear and environments with the fitting help actually gave our staff the sense of confidence that they have been going to make it by way of this system and in addition the help to beat the challenges that they skilled alongside the way in which.”
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 admittedly the important thing.”
International growth
Venture 525’s success in Sub-Saharan Africa has sparked world growth plans. This system is launching cohorts in Europe and making ready for progress within the Americas and Asia Pacific.
- European cohorts: Venture 525 is making 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 growth: With rising demand in america, Venture 525 could quickly deliver its intensive CCIE-focused curriculum to American professionals. To help this progress, strategic planning is underway for occasions, partnerships, and in-person periods.
Venture 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 pondering that drives real-world affect.
