Targeted Academies:

• Houwteq and Peninsula Technikon

Enrollment Figures (% of females in the Cisco Networking Academy Program, as of 2001):

• Houwteq: 100% (28 of 28)
• Peninsula Technikon: offered in 2 departments: 35% in IT dept., 15% in Electrical Engineering dept

Recruitment & Retention Strategies

• Female enrollment “is a priority for the Institute.”
• Houwteq staff encourages women to apply to the program in career fairs and through advertisements.
• All students receive full scholarships to Houwteq.
• PenTech is developing a core of female instructors to serve as role models for female students.
• Courses are lower priced and government-subsidized.
• The Networking Academy program is offered in the IT department as well as the Electrical Engineering departments at PenTech.

Recommendations

• Track job placement and salaries of graduates.
• Build alumni network.
• Develop career activities and strengthen linkages with women employed in the field.
• Explore how the single sex classroom environment affects students’ performance, confidence, and preparation for the IT work environment.
• Develop print and on-line recruitment materials that appeal to prospective female students.
• Develop materials in local languages to complement the on-line curriculum.