Thursday, 3 July 2008

Cisco Starts Community Site to Encourage IT Networking Talents

Cisco has set up a Web 2.0 community that allows networking professionals to collaborate globally through document sharing, open forum discussions and idea exchanges in a dedicated environment.

The Cisco Learning Network is Cisco’s bid to encourage both the seasoned professional as well as individuals considering a career in information technology (IT).

"As networks continue to stimulate economic growth, collaboration and human interaction, the need for networking talent will grow in importance. To address the growing global demand for networking talent, we estimate that we will need to double or even triple our certified individuals over the next five years," said Jeanne Beliveau-Dunn, general manager of Learning@Cisco.

Providing social networking features such as blogs, wikis and forums, the Cisco Learning Network enables individuals to discuss top-of-mind issues and interact with thought leaders in network design, implementation and operations.

The community will also directly contribute to the continued development and co-creation of Cisco's education strategies by providing real-world community feedback that can be used for training development and assessment.

With the built-in document-sharing tool, there will be a single source for the certified community to seek out product documentation, configuration and troubleshooting advice as well as expert opinions on networking challenges.

According to Cisco, as the community develops, it will become an important resource that can be taken advantage of by IT professionals to increase productivity and address critical issues in the networks they administer.

"With the demand for IT professionals on the rise, it's great to find a centralized resource that unifies industry trends, developments and certification opportunities," said renowned author and networking expert Terry Slattery, CCIE® #1026.

"The Cisco Learning Network is a great tool for individuals who are looking to learn about new technology, stay in touch with colleagues, or pursue certifications."