Good demand for GMIT-run Cisco course

Author: GMIT Press Office

Date Article Written Thursday 15 September 2011

The first cohort of employees from private companies across Mayo and Galway have successfully completed the Cisco CCNA qualification in GMIT Castlebar.

The employees from Ergo IT Services, Westport, CBE, Claremorris, Schneider Electric, Galway, Western Care Association, Louisburg and Westnet, Ballina, attended classes in GMIT Castlebar every Friday for the past academic year (Sept 2010 to May 2011), sitting their exams in May.

They are the first graduates of the Cisco Academy from the private sector; GMIT Castlebar has been offering the part-time programme to full-time students of GMIT since 2005.

The one-year programme is for individuals currently working in the areas of electronics, computers or telecommunications who wish to acquire an industry recognised qualification.  A basic appreciation of computers and broadband internet access is a prerequisite. The programme provides students with the training necessary, in both theory and hands-on practical work, to achieve the Cisco qualification of Network Associate.

Mark Frain, lecturer, Dept of Business, Humanities and Technology, GMIT Castlebar, says there is a big demand for this course from people currently working in the IT area:

“The Cisco programme is an upskilling exercise and directly relevant to the work the participants are currently doing. Some participants are sometimes between jobs, or looking, and this course certainly increases their employment prospects. The next course starts on Friday 23rd September and enrolment is now taking place.”

Eadaoin Earley, who has just graduated from the GMIT Cisco course, is about to start a new job and shares her experience of the Cisco course: “Having been unemployed for two years I signed up to the CCNA course at GMIT to update my IT skills to help me find employment. The course was hard work but was compensated for by the excellent tutoring. The hands-on labs give you practice for real-world situations, which is what employers are looking for. I was recently offered a position which required strong routing knowledge and Cisco skills; without my CCNA training I would not have passed the interview.” she adds.

David McDonnell, who is currently working in the networking area with Westnet in Ballina, says, “I have been working in the network industry for a few years and wanted to get a full and proper understanding of the networking protocols and concepts. The CCNA course delivered all the knowledge I needed and more to continue comfortably on my networking career path. The classroom environment is very well equipped and the tutors are very approachable and fully knowledgeable to help you with your studies.”

Enrolment for the 2011/12 programme is now taking place with classes due to start on the Friday 23rd September. For more information or if you want to register, please contact Seamus Dowling or Mark Frain, GMIT Castlebar, tel. 094 9025700.