If technique units route, studying is what makes it final. Studying is without doubt one of the clearest locations the place Cisco’s Objective and enterprise intersect. Making certain that individuals are ready to participate in a digital and AI-enabled economic system is important to sustainable development, long-term belief, and shared success. When individuals have the abilities to adapt, organizations transfer quicker — with better resilience and stronger outcomes.
Inside Cisco, we’ve been intentional about investing in our personal capabilities. In fiscal 2025, greater than 37,000 workers accomplished AI-focused studying — a 76% year-over-year improve — strengthening our capability to innovate, redesign work, and ship worth to our prospects. As work continues to evolve, studying has change into one of many strongest methods leaders allow the longer term and drive momentum. For instance, at Cisco, workers are twice as seemingly to make use of AI when their supervisor does, and constant customers are extra productive and extra engaged.
On the similar time, our dedication to studying has by no means stopped at our personal partitions. By means of Cisco Networking Academy, we’ve helped greater than 28 million learners construct the abilities wanted to take part within the digital economic system. And, by means of Be taught with Cisco, we’re supporting the White Home’s Pledge to America’s Youth: Investing in AI Schooling with a dedication to coach a million individuals throughout the USA.
In December, IDC MarketScape acknowledged Cisco as a Chief in IT Coaching Companies in each Europe1 and North America2. We see that recognition not as a end line, however as encouragement to maneuver sooner — extending the boldness and functionality we’re constructing inside Cisco to our companions, prospects, and communities all over the world.
Be taught extra about our progress and objectives in our FY25 Objective Report.
Thousands and thousands of Stories: The Impression of Studying
A latest dialog powerfully highlighted the significance and influence of schooling. Throughout a dialogue with Fairness Financial institution in Kenya about their studying applications for underserved youth, we realized that considered one of our Cisco colleagues within the assembly was a graduate of this program. She shared how this bank-sponsored schooling profoundly modified her life. This private testimony underscored the real-world influence of Fairness Financial institution’s efforts. As I shared how Cisco Networking Academy builds digital abilities at scale, a senior chief from the financial institution spoke up. He shared that he earned his Cisco Licensed Community Affiliate (CCNA) by means of Cisco Networking Academy — an expertise that launched his profession and led him to the govt function he holds at the moment.
In an organization as far-reaching as Cisco, we don’t at all times get to listen to the person tales behind our work — however once we do, they carry our influence to life. Within the final fiscal 12 months alone, greater than 5 million learners engaged with Cisco Networking Academy, which implies thousands and thousands of tales like these are unfolding all over the world. Every one is a reminder that what we do issues — creating pathways for individuals to take part extra totally sooner or later.
Studying in Partnership
One vital method that we proceed to be taught as a company and keep linked to our trade is thru our management of the AI Workforce Consortium. This collaboration brings collectively Cisco, Accenture, Cornerstone, Eightfold AI, Google, IBM, Certainly, Intel, Microsoft, and SAP. Collectively, we’re mapping how AI is reshaping greater than 50 vital expertise and supporting roles throughout G7 nations — and, simply as importantly, constructing sensible pathways so individuals can put together for what’s subsequent.
The Consortium’s 2025 analysis exhibits that 78% of jobs already require AI abilities. However it additionally makes clear that human abilities — management, problem-solving, innovation, collaboration, and communication — will decide how impactful AI in the end turns into.
That very same analysis reinforces the necessity for steady studying to unlock the total potential of the workforce. It’s telling that Studying & Improvement Specialist is now probably the most in-demand expertise assist function within the U.S. and Canada, underscoring how strongly organizations are prioritizing studying agility in an AI-driven economic system. That sign is difficult to disregard. At Cisco, we’re appearing on it by investing in new studying roles and enterprise-wide efforts that assist our individuals construct the abilities to leap forward in an AI-driven future.
Permission to Rethink Every little thing
Moments just like the one I skilled in Kenya stick with me as a result of they make clear what’s really at stake. They remind me that we live in a uncommon time — one that provides us permission to rethink every little thing. How can we spend our sources? What breakthroughs can we pursue? And what sort of human expertise can we wish to allow?
At Cisco, we’re lucky to be navigating this second from a place of energy, grounded in main expertise, hard-earned belief, our individuals, and our Objective.
However with that energy comes the accountability to pause and ask the appropriate questions on how we transfer ahead collectively.
- As trade leaders, how will we assist form markets that increase alternative and set the usual for safe, trusted, and inclusive innovation?
- As individuals leaders, how will we mannequin studying in actual time, utilizing AI ourselves and constructing cultures the place curiosity, braveness, and compassion drive progress?
- And as people, how will we adapt, unlearn, and retool, understanding that our collective success in the end relies upon on our private willingness to develop?
These questions aren’t simply theoretical for us. In fiscal 2025, we answered every with a actual and measurable dedication:
- 573,000 worker volunteer hours and the sixth consecutive 12 months exceeding our 80% neighborhood influence goal
- 31 disaster response efforts and over 900 worker volunteers supporting communities in disaster
- 100% renewable vitality to match world annual electrical energy wants at Cisco owned and leased amenities3
- 154 million lives positively impacted by means of the Cisco Basis and Social Impression Investments
Behind every of those metrics are human tales of resilience and expanded chance. Our accountability is to make sure this progress continues — human, inclusive, and grounded in belief. That’s how we’ll meet this second: by studying, by main, and by serving to others do the identical.
Be taught extra:
Objective at Cisco
FY25 Objective Report
Objective Reporting Hub
