Cisco most recently announced its plan to offer free training to 1.5 million people in the European Union by 2030. According to Chuck Robbins, the program also includes coaching 5, 000 instructors in AI, security, data technology, and digital transformation to help professionals stay ahead of the curve in a fast changing digital landscape.
This skill development will be offered by Cisco’s Networking Academy, a company that has been providing online education for over 27 years.
In a statement announcing the plan, Robbins stated that Cisco is committed to supporting the Union and our educational partners in developing the skills necessary for thriving in an AI-driven future. This innovative program strengthens our relationship to create a resilient and skilled workforce that is prepared to meet Europe’s goals for AI and digital transformation.
Developing a workplace that is ready for the future to meet the goals of the European Commission
The Cisco courses may include online knowledge, security, data science, IoT, and AI, helping students develop fundamental skills for the modern economy. The system is in line with the 2030 Digital Decade objectives of the European Commission, which promote regional electronic literacy.
According to Coursera, placed third, fifth, and seventh overall in terms of technical proficiency, with the U.K. placing 25th overall.
According to Cisco, the club has been in operation for more than 27 years and collaborates with more than 7,000 educators from across the EU. More than 3.2 million EU citizens have taken courses the university has offered since its inception in 1998, according to Cisco.
Another initiatives are intended to break the digital divide.
To combat the lack of modern skills, similar initiatives are being implemented around the world.
- In the United States, the computer volunteer Digitunity collaborated with AT&, T to offer digital coaching to 10, 000 Americans in the United States in 2024.
- Microsoft’s AI crafting initiative aims to equip one million South Africans with growing in-demand online knowledge by 2026 in South Africa.
- The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA ) of the Department of Commerce in the United States recommended that more than$ 369 million be given to 41 organizations to help develop digital skills across the nation. One of three Digital Equity Act grant applications created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is worth$ 1.25 billion, will be used to fund the$ 1.5 billion Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program.
These large-scale education efforts highlight the urgent need to develop a workforce that is ready for the future as AI and modern transformation transform industries.