Program Profile In January 2000, Cisco Learning Institute (CLI) partnered with Cisco Systems to establish gender-focused Cisco Networking Academies in South Africa. CLI provided funds for a Project Coordinator, scholarships, and the development of a job placement cell at three Academies. To date, three gender-focused Academies have been established at the following organizations: SANGONeT, South Africa’s first Internet Service Provider, in Johannesburg, SOS Children’s Village, an orphanage, in Mamelodi, Pretoria, and at the Oukasie Development Training (ODT) Center in Brits.
The students attending these Academies are primarily unemployed youth, who had completed their secondary school education and had enrolled in colleges or post-secondary schools for basic IT literacy courses, yet had to withdraw due to financial constraints. Approximately 50% or more of the students are female. The Cisco Networking Academy Program offers these unemployed youth computer networking skills, which they see as a stepping stone for potentially lucrative job opportunities. Some of the students plan on volunteering as computer network troubleshooters at neighboring high schools and NGOs in order to gain valuable job experience.
 After successful completion of the Networking Academy program curriculum, students are eligible to take the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification exam. This is a globally recognized certification and immensely helps the students in their job search.
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