A specialized academy to train people in computer networking will open in Bahrain this month, reported the Gulf Daily News on Sunday.
The Gulf states are witnessing an explosion of growth in the IT sector, and the new Bahraini facility is the latest evidence of the younger generation's hunger for new skills.
The London Information Technology (LIT) networking academy will provide training opportunities for 1,500 people in its first year, said its chairman, Sheikh Ali bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.
Courses at the center will begin in two weeks.
"Computer networking is becoming a fast-growing and most sought-after sector in the IT industry worldwide," he said.
"This has prompted us to start a networking course in Bahrain, as qualified networking professionals in the country will be an asset."
He said the aim of the institute was to provide real qualifications that any networking engineer would require.
"There is a gap in the market and this qualification is in demand now. In addition to academic instruction, the trainees will be sent to LIT customer locations to get hands-on experience in networking," Sheikh Ali told the paper.
LIT training department manager Ali Shahbaz Ali said the academy would first start two courses, each of a six-month duration.
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) program will teach trainees the basics of networking while the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) program will focus on advanced stages of networking.
People who are new to computers, said Ali, will be taught the basics of computing.
When they successfully complete the introductory course, they will be able to register for the networking courses, he added.
"We have appointed two instructors, who are undergoing training to be Cisco certified instructors," added Ali – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
