FIRST BAPTIST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION PARTNERS WITH CISCO SYSTEMS, INC. TO PROVIDE CARRER OPTIONS FOR DISPLACED CORPORATE EMPLOYEES & RENAISSANCE COMMUNITY RESIDENTS

Renaissance Cisco Academy Offers Opportunity for Career in Technology

Somerset, NJ - October 2, 2001 -- The First Baptist Community Development Corporation ("FBCDC") and Cisco Systems, Inc. ("Cisco") partner to provide career options for displaced employees and to Renaissance community residents. The Renaissance Cisco Academy ("RCA") offers candidates an opportunity for a career in technology. Rev. Mereides Delgado, Technology Program Manager, FBCDC, says, "Our purpose is two-fold. We want to establish a greater level of empowerment and self-sufficiency among residents of the Renaissance community. In addition, we want to respond to the recent lay-offs and downsizing of several local corporations by providing career alternatives to their employees."

The Renaissance Cisco Academy's first class begins in October. "The partnership between FBCDC and Cisco was formed due to a shared vision and desire to empower a community by responding to community development problems that are caused or aggravated by the lack of exposure and access to computer based technology and training," says John Wunder, Major Account Manager, Cisco Systems, Inc. "In addition, we hope to increase the number of qualified workers in the technology labor pool through the Academy."

The Renaissance Cisco Academy will provide a comprehensive 10 month/280-hour course that teaches individuals how to design, build, and maintain computer networks. The program combines lectures and online learning with hands-on laboratory exercises in which the students apply what they learn in class while working on actual networks. From basic to advanced networking skills, the academy curriculum prepares the student for lifelong opportunities in the real world. Academy students are prepared for industry standard certifications including Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).

Achieving CCNA certification is the first step on an industry-recognized career track. CCNA Certification provides a foundation that promotes further growth in the networking technology field. Students who have completed course work in preparation for CCNA certification are prepared for the Network+ certification exam. Mentoring, professional development and job placement assistance are supplements provided to all RCA students. "Our RCA instructors and administrative staff will ensure that each student receives the support and guidance they need in order to help facilitate their successful completion of the program. In addition, when our students pass their CCNA examination, we will use all of our resources to help them become gainfully employed as a Network Administrator," says Sharon Tucker-Brown, Executive Director, FBCDC.

The Renaissance Cisco Academy is located at the First Baptist Community Complex, 630 Franklin Boulevard, Somerset, NJ. Space is still available for the fall class, which begins October 16th. For more information, call (732) 545-0320.