Program Overview

Newly retooled for the latest technologies and job roles, this CCNA training course and exam gives students the foundation to take their career in any direction. CCNA certification covers a breadth of topics, including: Network fundamentals, Network access, IP connectivity, IP services, Security fundamentals and Automation and programmability. This in addition to Linux knowledge will help improve skillsets and provide students with the ability to manage and optimise network systems. Students will learn the technical skills and soft skills needed to succeed in entry-level networking professions such as a network installer, help desk technician, pre-sales support technician, or network technician.

This course enables students to complete 2 valuable industrial certification exams in addition to their academic studies. CCNA focuses on network infrastructure, mainly routing and switching, but it also includes wireless access, security, and connectivity to branch offices using WAN. This part of the course prepares candidates for the new CCNA Routing and Switching certification exam 200-301. The Systems Administration module focuses on the CompTIA Linux+ and Linux Professional Institute LPIC-1 certifications. Exam vouchers and Course lab manuals are all provided as part of the course.

Many Government reports have identified companies as having a shortage of qualified graduates in this area. The Solas difficult to fill vacancies survey (October 2021) reports 46% of companies had difficulty in in filling roles for Network and Dev Ops engineers It is also very interesting to note that in page 86 of the National Skills bulletin 2020 it states that "Network Engineer occupations are not thought to have been negatively impacted in terms of employment numbers as a result of COVID-19, at least initially."

TU Dublin is a global Cisco Academy Training Centre and Academy Support Centre, and in September 2021 was awarded premier status, ranking in the top 15% performing partners in the world. It is currently supporting the instructor training and support requirements for 28 further and higher education institutions in Ireland. TU Dublin is also a Comp TIA academic partner and as a result of these partnerships is well placed to deliver these industrially certified courses.

The TU Dublin Cisco academy has a very good relationship with companies that are looking for Cisco graduates, and these companies contact TU Dublin directly when vacancies arise. Runbook Technologies, eCom Solutions, Viatel, Equinix, Wiline, Mason Technologies are just some of the companies that have sourced graduates from the program into paid employment. As a result students and companies alike are generous with giving feedback and returning to TU Dublin as guest lecturers and providing work placements. Many of the graduates of this course have found employment in the Data Centre, Network Infrastructure and automation, Security Infrastructure and Cloud technology areas of ICT.

The programme provides an excellent pathway for those students coming from apprenticeship and level 5 study to gain entry to higher education, allowing for progression to level 10. There are no pre-requisites for this course for mature learners.