KidsTek - Cisco Training Academy in high schools

Come have dinner with Richard Liner,
Executive Director & CoFounder of KidsTek
1345_ 2/5/13 - KidsTek is 13 years old now, founded out of the Colorado Technology Assoc. They work with the highest needs schools in Colorado, right from kindergarten through high school, providing technology education in after school programs - and now in in-school programs in the high schools, leading to certifications for Cisco. As an example, in the middle school realm they're teaching primarily Internet research and Microsoft Office skills. So they're giving these kids the tools they need to use technology, not specific programming. Richard Liner, Executive Director and co-founder of KidsTek said, "We're not asking that they go into technology careers, if they want to do that, we do have those programs in high schools. We really want them to get familiar with the business tools that they need and don't have access to, as under-privileged kids, at home, and even in school. These kids don't have computers at home. They don't get enough time in school on them - so KidsTek provide the after school enrichment to get them up to speed for what they need for the workforce and for college." Over the years KidsTek has been expanding, doing more and new things. Rich explained, "In the high school arena we've hooked up with Cisco and we are a Cisco Training Academy, one of the few non-profits that is." The program starts with IT Essentials which leads to the A+ certification [the generalized PC maintenance and installation type people] right into networking skills for Cisco expertise that can earn them up to a CC&A certification, which is what all the employers that have big networks look for in their workforce. Larry asked, "There are also opportunities for businesses to be involved. But how do you support KidsTek?" Rich said, "Well obviously it's a non-profit. We have a combination of ways to get money, foundations that support us. The schools that we work with make a contribution towards what we are doing. We have corporate sponsors and we have events. We have two major events every year. Coming up on February 20th, our annual dinner and that can be accessed for registration through their web site. Then they do a golf tournament in June...
RELATED LINKS: KidsTek || Colorado Technology Association || Liner Group || Blog || KEYWORDS: Rich Liner, KidsTek, Colorado Technology Association, Cisco Training Academy, Schools, PC Maintenance and Installation, CC&A certification, Denver School System > bytes=5147483
LISTEN TO: Rich Liner, Executive director, KidsTek

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