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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

“Linking to brighter job prospects”

“Linking to brighter job prospects”


Linking to brighter job prospects

Posted: 27 Oct 2010 12:29 PM PDT

BATH — A pilot networking course offered this year at Bath Regional Career and Technical Center plugs select students into what they hope will be post-graduate job security.

Representatives from CBE Technologies have reached week seven of the courses, in which four students chosen for their work in other computer classes take steps toward ultimately achieving a special network certification.

"The end goal is for these guys to, by springtime, at least get prepared for the test (for 'Cisco Certified Network Associate' designation)," David Barter, the northern New England territory manager for CBE, said Monday. "Those who want to take the test can then take it. As far as a high school program organized in this fashion, this is the first I've heard of in the state, and we work with most of the high schools."

On Monday — after running blue, pink and black cables from their laptops to routers and switches donated by CBE — the students navigated through a black-and-white command screen to begin programming the simple networks they'd set up.

By taking the course at the Bath Regional Career and Technical Center, the students bypass a college or private sector class they'd otherwise likely have to pay as much as $3,000 to attend. The Cisco networking certification, said Barter, is a legitimate leg up in an increasingly competitive job market.

"It's what I look for when I hire kids," he said. "We want hands-on experience, and it's hard for teenagers to get that experience. It's uncommon for students to get formal training like this (in high school)."

Chris Wallace, who graduated from Morse High School last year and returned to the vocational school this year to sit in on the course, said he thinks the pilot course is a game changer for the students invited to take part.

"It's going to provide a much better chance of getting a really good job and providing job security," he said.

"I believe it's really going to help me in business," agreed Brian Campbell, a Wiscasset High School senior who attends the Bath career center.

Center instructor Dean Emmerson said he hopes arrangements can be made with CBE and Regional School Unit 1 to continue providing the unique course for select students in future years as well.

skoenig@timesrecord.com

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