Apprenticeships
The UK Cisco Academy community has supported apprenticeships and apprenticeship providers since c2016/17 - offering NetAcad as an alternate, free resource to underpin apprenticeship deliver and end point assessment. We hope that by reading this page, we may encourage you (the trainer) and your organisation to consider becoming a Cisco Networking Academy for Free! - Please read below for more information.
Teaching
NetAcad is now being extensively utilised by approximately forty apprenticeship providers in the UK, including specialist training providers, further education colleges and higher education. We estimate that there are over 4000 apprentices at any given time making use of the resources NetAcad provides. Covering standards for Digital Support, Infrastructure Networking, CyberSecurity, data analytics and software development.
Cost
There is no cost - whatsoever, to being a Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad). The Open University Cisco ASC has specialised in supporting training providers, giving them a route into NetAcad at a time when it was designed for traditional education globally. To become a Cisco Academy is simple, you can apply via this form - however, please do email cisco-asc@open.ac.uk to let us know your intentions, who you are and your organisation and allow them to guide you through the process.
Courses
You can use all courses on NetAcad, as is - it is your choice and often, we are aware that training providers offer different NetAcad courses according to current standards as well as local employer need. The course list is extensive and continually evolving - where the information listed in the current image will continue to evolve after August 2024.
Training/Accreditation
This is also free - the Open University Cisco ASC in collaboration with the University of Wales: Trinity St David. The courses flagged with ITR in the graphic - must be taught by someone who has taken the instructor training offered by an ITC (instructor training centre). To offer training for free, at scale and ensure it can remain cost neutral - remote opportunities are offered every February and October, with the enrolment opening during January and September respectively. We do not offer any bespoke, organisation specific training at this present time.
Please feel welcome to explore and bookmark the free instructor training we offer - this is for trainers, teachers, academic and any educators.
Mapping
For Cisco and our collaborative partners - mapping is always a guidance document, not a regulation. If you spot alternate opportunities - we will both encourage and endorse them.
These mappings have been created by John Pritchard, Andy Nunn and Andy Brown of 1st for EPA. For sharing with the wider Cisco NetAcad community.
Cisco NE Mapping public.xlsx
End Point Assessment
The Packet Tracer Network Simulator is recognised as a suitable simulacrum and can be used for apprenticeship end-point-assessments. This has been the case since 2017 and several end-point-assessment organisations (EPAO) are already utilising this tool.
Any organisation that is a member of the Cisco Networking Academy Programme can access, download and install Packet Tracer on all of their computers - for free. All educators (trainers) can also install Packet Tracer. As is also the case for students. Versions exist for Windows, Mac and Linux and Cisco will update the application bi-annually.
You must connect with a recognised EPAO for digital - to understand requirements and expectations, in the use of Packet Tracer within any EPA. Cisco, cannot provide any guidance or endorsement.