In today’s rapidly shifting economy, the “future of work” is not a distant concept; it’s unfolding all around us. As Lynn Bloomer, Cisco’s Director of Global Programs and Services for the Networking Academy, notes, “Innovation is moving faster than ever, reshaping industries, rewriting job roles, and redefining the skills people need.”
This isn’t a challenge any single sector can tackle alone. Governments, educators, and private companies must collaborate to ensure people everywhere can thrive.
The AI Moment Is Here
According to the 2025 AI Workforce Consortium report, 78% of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) roles now require Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills.
Nearly 40% of workers’ core skills, particularly in IT and technology, will change. AI will make its presence felt in almost every role, with projections suggesting 90% of job profiles will undergo moderate to high transformation.
So, what does this translate to? The World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs Report indicates that on average, 39% of workers’ core skills will need to be transformed or will become obsolete by 2030. A Harvard Business Review study found that the average half-life of skills is now less than five years, and in certain technology fields, such as those involving AI, this window can shrink to as little as two and a half years.. Becoming a lifelong learner then is no longer a choice; it may be the only way to thrive in a changing world.
Cisco’s Commitment: Learning Without Limits
Cisco has pledged to train 25 million people globally by 2032, with Cisco Networking Academy serving as the engine of this mission. Through Learn with Cisco, the company unites Cisco Networking Academy, professional certifications, and the Cisco Learning Network to deliver a single, powerful continuum of skills training.
AI is integral not only to Cisco’s curriculum but also to its delivery. Courses are continuously updated to reflect emerging job trends and AI features. Security training now includes predictive AI at the associate level and AI-empowered analysis at the professional level. AI also helps translate and localize content, ensuring learners anywhere can access the most current knowledge.
APJC: A Region on the Rise
Nowhere is this transformation more visible than in Asia Pacific, Japan, and China (APJC). In the past year alone, Cisco Networking Academy trained about 1.5 million students across the region, achieving a remarkable 21% year-over-year growth, the highest among all global regions.
This success reflects the dedication of every Business Development Manager, instructor, partner, and student involved. Each country in APJC is treating skilling as a national imperative. With rapid technological advances, especially in AI, some jobs are evolving or disappearing, but even more opportunities are emerging.
The scale of this effort is striking, with over 4,700 instructors guiding learners last year, and more than a quarter being women. The impact on students is equally impressive, with 98% feeling confident applying the skills they learned, and 98% of program graduates having already moved on to new careers or further education.
Yunbin’s Story of Grit and Growth
In South Korea, technology drives both economic growth and national security priorities. In fact, their National Security Office recently launched the National AI Security Council (NACG) to establish national-level responses to security threats related to AI.
In this environment, one learner’s journey captures the power of cybersecurity reskilling. Yunbin Cho began her university studies as an architecture major, but her heart was always drawn to the world of IT security, more so after seeing a series of high-profile cybersecurity news stories.
Determined to pivot her career, she enrolled in Cisco Networking Academy. The Academy’s well-structured courses, hands-on Packet Tracer activities, and practical content helped Yunbin quickly master complex networking concepts. Her dedication paid off when she placed first overall in the highly competitive Cisco Networking Academy Korea Competition. What’s more is that she was one of only three women among fifty participants.
Today, Yunbin works as a systems engineer at a security company, applying the skills she honed in the Academy to protect critical networks. Driven by a passion for learning, she is also pursuing advanced studies in information and communication security and urges others to embrace hands-on practice and troubleshooting as the fastest way to grow in the field.
Collaboration Is the Key
Stories like Yunbin’s underscore the power of collective action. Cisco collaborates with universities, governments, and our partner organizations to bring Cisco Networking Academy courses to learners in cities and rural communities alike. These alliances mirror similar efforts across APJC, where regional governments and private enterprises are co-developing programs to reskill workers for AI-driven roles.
Bridging the Gap
The numbers achieved and the targets set for the future are surely impressive, but they only make up for a part of the story. The real heroes here are the people behind the numbers.
Cisco’s extensive network of partners have been instrumental in ensuring the execution and “last-mile” reach of its programs. They are the ones that act as the all-important bridge connecting colleagues, customers, and communities. Some such notable partners are Cisco Golden Bridge awardee Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) Australia, and those recognized as Be the Bridge recipients, such as EdCreate Social Foundation India, Core Council of the Philippines Philippines, and King Mongkut Institute of Technology Ladkraban Thailand.
Writing the Future Together
The future of work is being written today, and it will be defined by agility, inclusion, and shared purpose. By fusing cutting-edge technology with collaborative education models, Cisco and its partners are ensuring that individuals from bustling metros to the smallest villages in APJC gain the skills to thrive.
As Lynn Bloomer reminds us, “Together we can make sure it is a future that empowers everyone.”
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