Could Cisco’s Complimentary Tech Training for 1.5 Million Individuals Assist in Closing the Skills Gap in the EU?
An initiative was recently unveiled by Cisco to impart free education in basic digital skills to 1.5 million individuals in the European Union by 2030. The plan, spearheaded by Cisco Chair and CEO Chuck Robbins, also encompasses the training of 5,000 educators in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, and digital transformation to aid professionals in remaining competitive amidst a swiftly evolving technological environment.
Providing digital education for over 27 years, Cisco’s Networking Academy will be the platform for delivering this skills training.
“Cisco is dedicated to backing the EU and our educational partners in nurturing the essential talent required to flourish in a future influenced by artificial intelligence,” remarked Robbins in a statement introducing the program. “This fresh initiative enhances our collaboration to construct a robust and skilled workforce, primed to fulfill Europe’s digital transformation and AI aspirations.”
Creating a Future-Ready Workforce to Fulfill European Commission Objectives
The range of Cisco courses will encompass digital literacy, cybersecurity, data science, IoT, and AI, ensuring that the populace acquires foundational skills suited for the digital economy. This program is in line with the Digital Decade targets for 2030 outlined by the European Commission, designed to elevate digital literacy throughout the region.
According to Coursera’s data from last year, Germany, France, and Spain ranked 3rd, 5th, and 7th, respectively, as the most technically proficient nations in Europe, while the U.K. occupied the 25th spot.
Having collaborated with over 3,000 institutions and in excess of 7,000 educators in the EU, Cisco revealed that their academy has engaged over 3.2 million learners in the EU through courses offered since its inception in 1998.
Alternative Initiatives Aimed at Bridging the Digital Gap
Here are some analogous programs being launched globally to combat the scarcity of digital skills.
- Digitunity, a nonprofit organization in the U.S., has collaborated with AT&T to provide digital training to 10,000 individuals across the country by 2024.
- Microsoft’s AI skills initiative in South Africa is directed at empowering one million South Africans with in-demand digital skills by 2026.
- In the U.S., the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under the Department of Commerce has suggested allocating over $369 million to 41 organizations to bolster digital skills nationwide. This funding is to be derived from the $1.25 billion Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, one of the three Digital Equity Act grant programs instated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
These extensive training schemes underscore the pressing necessity of cultivating a workforce prepared for the future as AI and digital transformation reshape various industries.
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