ICTFocus::

Testimonials

Cisco Systems has developed the Cisco Academy Programme to support schools, colleges and universities throughout the world to deliver leading ICT courses using the latest materials and technology. The courses offered by the Academy Programme have been integrated as options in the BTEC Nationals IT Practitioner, City and Guilds Advanced Diploma in ICT Systems and OCR iPRO as optional modules.

The Academy Programme can greatly enhance the delivery of leading vocational qualifications. This will boost your institution's reputation making it more attractive to students. The skills gained through these modules are often highly prized by universities thus making your graduates a more attractive proposition for HE institutions.

Working in Partnership with Burnley College

ICT Focus at Lancaster University support numerous schools and colleges in the Lancashire and Cumbria region with the Academy Programme. One such institution is Burnley College. At Burnley, the Cisco Academy CCNA Curriculum is fully embedded in their EdExcel BTEC National Diplomas and Modern Apprenticeship scheme via the City and Guilds Advanced Diploma.

Chris Miller, Senior Lecturer Burnley College

Burnley's Technical Programmes Manager and Senior Lecturer, Chris Miller has this to say about the programme and ICT Focus.

"We have successfully integrated CISCO Academy qualifications into both our full time and part time curriculum offer. Our students benefit from these internationally recognised, industry standard, vendor qualifications that tick all the boxes with employers. CISCO qualifications facilitate a variety of learning styles, promoting both independent learning and group work. We have been particularly impressed with the level of support provided by CISCO and Lancaster University which includes full training, materials, labs and equipment."

" Our focus on employer responsiveness and the development of innovative and industry relevant curriculum was recognised as a key strength in our recent Ofsted inspection. Our CISCO Academy provision made a significant contribution towards their judgement that Burnley College is Outstanding. "

Here is what some of the Burnley students have to say about the CCNA curriculum:

" The CCNA course at Burnley College has been an extremely interesting and a fun and fresh way to learn about networks. The practical up to date hands on elements that have been introduced by the Cisco qualified instructors especially helped gain more of an insight into how a network actually works. I believe that by having the CCNA course incorporated in to my BTEC helped me secure a place at Lancaster University. "

Greg Broughton – BTEC National

" I think that the practical side of the course is great, because you don’t just read the knowledge, you are able to put it into practice, which enables you to learn from your mistakes and in my opinion, helps you understand the subject more. "

Stephen Hughes - BTEC National year 1

" The Cisco academy was a very interesting and helpful part of my course, not only did it give me a broader understanding of how computers work by teaching about binary and the core principals of communication it also opened a whole new door of opportunity for me by giving me knowledge about networking and a qualification that encompassed this knowledge. Since leaving Burnley College I am due for my first interview for a job and I am certain that without the CCNA part of my qualification I would not have got this, many thanks to the academy. "

Liam Ellison – BTEC National year 2

" Being an apprentice, the Cisco Networking Academy Program helped me apply the knowledge I was gaining about networking infrastructures in my workplace and improve the efficiency of the network in my workplace. "

Clair Scott – Modern Apprentice in IT