Press release
USAID Helps to Bridge the IT Networking Skills Gap in Moldova
The accomplishments of the Cisco Networking Academy Program in Moldova were celebrated at a national conference, “Cisco Networking Academy Program – a Successful Model for Educating ICT Skills,” held on February 11 at 15:00 p.m. in the Raut Room of the Leogrand Convention Center in Chisinau. The event brought together distinguished guests including U.S. Ambassador Asif J. Chaudhry, representatives from Cisco Networking Academy Program Romania, officials from the Ministries of Information and Communication Technologies and Education, and representatives of business community, USAID and regional and local Cisco Networking Academies, as well as teachers and students from leading Moldovan educational institutions in the ICT field.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is one of the highest-paying and most dynamic industries in Moldova. Despite a large number of graduates with degrees in the field, companies requiring ICT professionals continue to struggle with finding qualified candidates. Since 2008, USAID has been actively engaged in introducing Cisco Networking Academy courses to leading Moldovan educational institutions as an effective tool to bridge the existing ICT networking skills gap in the country and bring networking skills up to the requirements of the labor market.
Launched with USAID support, four local Cisco Networking Academies are successfully operating today within the Finance and Banking College, Free International University, Technical University of Moldova, and the Moldova State University. Cisco IT Essentials courses were introduced in three high schools, and the curriculum is underway in another ten high schools. Over 150 Moldovan students are currently enrolled in the Cisco courses, which enable them to learn cutting-edge and marketable IT networking skills. Gaining the business knowledge and skills during their university years affords Moldovan IT graduates a significant advantage in the job market, thereby helping to mitigate the IT labor shortage in the country.
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Through USAID, the United State government provides economic and humanitarian assistance to more than 100 countries. CEED is part of USAID’s efforts to support private enterprise growth, create jobs, and generate income in Moldova. CEED seeks to enhance the competitiveness of Moldova’s ICT, textile and apparel, and winemaking sectors by helping private enterprises compete in the global market.
