Cisco and CWA Partner to Provide Digital Opportunities to Union Members and the Military

	"The Workforce Transition Project is making a difference in people's lives. Each students in the Project can visualize a career path and make a better life for themselves and their families," Jim Landers, WTP instructor.
	"The work in this industry is interesting and challenging and I don't see an end to it," Clarence Mitchel, WTP student.
	"It's a lot of work, but you've got to sacrifice somewhere," Jimmy Phillips, WTP student.

Despite years of experience, thousands of communications workers and military personnel do not have the right skills to remain competitive in the 21st century. Through an innovative alliance, Cisco Systems, Communications Workers of America and Stanly Community College are preparing union members and U.S. military personnel with training for the future.

Cisco, CWA and Stanly have joined forces to develop the Workforce Transition Project (WTP), which aims to train, certify and place union members and military personnel in the new technology job market.

"With 1.8 million direct high-tech jobs to be created in the next five years, those who enter this military-to-work program will find a wealth of opportunity awaiting them in the Internet economy," says John Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems.

The WTP, a unique distance-learning and personalized program, combines online curriculum delivery and one-on-one mentoring in an accredited courses leading towards industry-recognized certification. The e-learning structure provides pre-assessments that define the level and amount of training required to reach each participant's training goals. Courses offered by Stanly are accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The program, designed to close the IT skills gap between workers and the ever-evolving high-tech industry, trains students in both Computer Technology (A+) and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).

"In today's high-tech industry, there is a skills shortage, not a worker shortage," says Morton Bahr, CWA President.

Systems of specially outfitted labs around the country provide students with hands-on training in addition to online curriculum. The labs contain all the necessary A+ and CCNA equipment to complete both certification tracks.

The program is definitely a collaborative effort-while CWA provides lab space in its offices, Stanly trains proctors and oversees the lab implementation. And Cisco provides equipment, curriculum and support.

WTP also offers students employment referrals to a number of high-tech employers. CWA represented companies include Lucent Technologies, Bell Atlantic, Bell South, GTE and SBC.

The program is highly acclaimed in business and a government community as one of the most innovative and aggressive projects that demonstrates a true public-private partnership.

To learn more or enroll in the program please visit the CWA, National Education and Training Trust Web site at www.cwanett.org.

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