RAC’s New Cisco AEC: Recognizing Networking Experience
by Matt Refghi | June 23, 2014
Last year, we expanded our services by adding an additional RAC option: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). The RAC process is for highly-experienced individuals who wish to have their existing skills officially recognized by a college in the form of an Attestation d’études collégiales (AEC), a certificate recognized by the Ministry of Education. Today, we’re happy to report that this particular RAC offering has wrapped up its first two cohorts, in which 24 of 25 candidates graduated successfully. Furthermore, 17 additional candidates have officially begun with the new Cisco (CCNA) cohort as of June 7th.
The Cisco offering has a few unique elements that we felt would be worth discussing. The first is that it is close in proximity to an actual industry offering, a certification offered by Cisco Systems directly, of the same name: CCNA. When candidates complete the RAC process, we must be clear: they do not receive this Cisco certification, but rather, they receive official collegial recognition for their skills in the form of an AEC. It is entirely up to candidates whether they seek to acquire Cisco’s own certification in addition to the certificate offered by RAC, but in our experience, having official recognition from a college can only improve one’s chances of being hired by employers.
Technologically, RAC’s Cisco AEC also comes with advancements in two main areas: online resources, and hardware. On the RAC website, Cisco seminars include voice overs, a feature which is not only convenient – it also reflects the content specialist’s passion for his/her material. Furthermore, as a Cisco Networking Academy, Champlain offers downloadable Cisco labs right through the website, in addition to Cisco Packet Tracer, an emulator program that allows candidates to work with networks virtually.
When it comes to hardware, RAC’s Cisco offers some of the newest technology in its labs, but it’s the application of said technology that makes a difference. Beverly Loney, a Cisco graduate, explains: “You can practice with Cisco Packet Tracer, but the best part is working with the actual equipment in a network environment, connecting the cables, putting everything together and configuring the equipment – anything can be changed. When you have the real equipment in front of you, there is a tendency to experiment more, to try different things to see how they work. You cannot beat the hands-on experience.”
Finally, Cisco’s success is likely, in part, due to its weekend schedule, which allows even those with full-time jobs and families to participate. Moreover, Cisco candidates tend to meet many other specialists operating in their field, which can allow them to expand their professional network without really going out of their way to do so.
At the end of the day, the addition of a Cisco AEC allows us to help even more people receive the recognition they deserve, and that’s exactly why Champlain RAC exists. It also meets a need in the market: at the moment, Champlain College Saint-Lambert is the only educational institution to offer a Cisco AEC through RAC in the Monteregie and Montreal. In the future, we’ll continue to expand our services so more skilled individuals can take advantage of RAC, and receive college recognition for their work and life experience.
The Cisco offering has a few unique elements that we felt would be worth discussing. The first is that it is close in proximity to an actual industry offering, a certification offered by Cisco Systems directly, of the same name: CCNA. When candidates complete the RAC process, we must be clear: they do not receive this Cisco certification, but rather, they receive official collegial recognition for their skills in the form of an AEC. It is entirely up to candidates whether they seek to acquire Cisco’s own certification in addition to the certificate offered by RAC, but in our experience, having official recognition from a college can only improve one’s chances of being hired by employers.
Technologically, RAC’s Cisco AEC also comes with advancements in two main areas: online resources, and hardware. On the RAC website, Cisco seminars include voice overs, a feature which is not only convenient – it also reflects the content specialist’s passion for his/her material. Furthermore, as a Cisco Networking Academy, Champlain offers downloadable Cisco labs right through the website, in addition to Cisco Packet Tracer, an emulator program that allows candidates to work with networks virtually.
When it comes to hardware, RAC’s Cisco offers some of the newest technology in its labs, but it’s the application of said technology that makes a difference. Beverly Loney, a Cisco graduate, explains: “You can practice with Cisco Packet Tracer, but the best part is working with the actual equipment in a network environment, connecting the cables, putting everything together and configuring the equipment – anything can be changed. When you have the real equipment in front of you, there is a tendency to experiment more, to try different things to see how they work. You cannot beat the hands-on experience.”
Finally, Cisco’s success is likely, in part, due to its weekend schedule, which allows even those with full-time jobs and families to participate. Moreover, Cisco candidates tend to meet many other specialists operating in their field, which can allow them to expand their professional network without really going out of their way to do so.
At the end of the day, the addition of a Cisco AEC allows us to help even more people receive the recognition they deserve, and that’s exactly why Champlain RAC exists. It also meets a need in the market: at the moment, Champlain College Saint-Lambert is the only educational institution to offer a Cisco AEC through RAC in the Monteregie and Montreal. In the future, we’ll continue to expand our services so more skilled individuals can take advantage of RAC, and receive college recognition for their work and life experience.
Filed under: Cisco (CCNA)
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