Bridging the digital skills gap in the age of AI

In today’s rapidly evolving economic landscape, digital skills have become the primary driver for success across the United States and Canada. As industries undergo a profound transformation driven by the disruptive power of artificial intelligence, the demand for a workforce that is not only technically proficient but also adaptable has never been higher.

AI is reshaping job roles at an unprecedented pace, creating a critical need for continuous learning and strategic upskilling. In this environment, Cisco Networking Academy stands as the definitive partner for organizations and individuals alike, providing the robust framework, curriculum, and global community necessary to navigate this new digital frontier.  

A legacy of impact and opportunity

The 2026 Cisco Networking Academy Partner Conference, held in Atlanta, Georgia, served as a powerful testament to this mission. Since its inception, the NetAcad program has reached 3.4 million students across the United States, Canada, and the Marshall Islands, with 17 percent of those students identifying as female.

More importantly, the impact is tangible. Ninety-six percent of students who completed Cisco Networking Academy’s certification-aligned courses have secured a new career or educational opportunity. By creating deep connections between educational institutions and industry leaders, our program continues to bridge the digital divide and provide the tools required for long-term professional resilience. 

Stories that matter: The human legacy of Networking Academy

While metrics tell a story of scale, the true impact of our program is found in the personal and professional journeys of our instructors and their students. These stories are the heartbeat of Cisco Networking Academy, serving as a profound source of inspiration for us all.

Take, for example, Sharon Angus, an instructor at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) in Canada. Growing up with Plains Cree and Mohawk heritage, Sharon began her journey as a single mother, teaching herself to fix her own laptop. That initial spark of self-study led her to a CCNA certification and eventually to a career as an instructor, where she now empowers her students to succeed, continually finding new ways to apply her learning and build the next generation of Indigenous tech talent.  

Similarly, we are moved by the dedication of educators like our colleague, Dr. Jon Duffee, at Tulsa Tech, who brings 30 years of teaching experience to the classroom. He has transformed the adult-only Enterprise Network Technologies program into a high-impact launchpad, rising to the daily challenge of helping veterans and career-switchers balance the demands of full-time work with the rigors of technical training.

With millions of such stories across our region, every individual experience reinforces why we do what we do.  

Celebrating excellence: Our Premier+ partners

The 2026 NetAcad Partner Conference was more than just a gathering; it was a celebration of the partners who serve as the backbone of this ecosystem. We were honored to recognize those who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to growth, quality, and community impact.

Our Premier+ partners, who represent the top 5 percent of our Academic Support Centers and Instructor Training Centers, set the standard for excellence:

• Education Service Center Region 11 (Texas)
• META Solutions (Ohio)
• Stanly Community College (North Carolina)
• Western Academy Support and Training Center (California)

Honoring innovation and community leadership

Beyond growth, we celebrated the spirit of inclusion and innovation through our “Be the Bridge” awards. Recipients included the CyberNet Training Center and Professional Service in Canada for their tireless support of the French-speaking instructor community, and Algonquin College in Canada for their transformative Women in Tech and Trades program.

Finally, we were proud to present the prestigious “Golden Bridge Award” to Philotimo LLC in the United States. As a newly onboarded partner, Philotimo LLC has already made a profound impact by advancing instructor training and expanding ethical hacking readiness across our community. 

Building the future together

As we look toward the future, these partnerships remain our greatest asset. By working together to expand access to high-quality education and digital skills, we are not just preparing students for the jobs of today—we are equipping them to lead the innovations of tomorrow.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all our partners for their unwavering commitment to building a more inclusive and technologically empowered future for the United States and Canada.