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Hartford Public Library is launching a new educational program designed to train people for well-paying technology careers.

HPL and CISCO Networking Academy are now offering free self-paced, online technology courses on cybersecurity and coding to students aged 18 and older.

According to HR Dive, a news source devoted to human resources issues, there is a high demand for skilled technology workers over the next decade. However, studies show that there is a digital skills gap in industries deemed essential, like health and social work.

HPL’s partnership with CISCO is an effort to bridge that gap.

“The need for more robust IT networks is clearer than ever as more people are required to work remotely. A well-trained workforce will be key to ensuring that our educational, corporate and civic institutions have access to a modern and reliable IT infrastructure. As HPL, we are training the next generation of IT professionals through the CISCO Networking Academy; we are investing in the future of our city and our state and preparing people for career opportunities in a dynamic and important field,” said Bridget Quinn-Carey, president and CEO of Hartford Public Library.

Courses available include:

• Introduction to IoT

A 20-hour course introducing the concepts of Internet of Things (IoT) and challenges of the transformational IoT economy.

• Introduction to Cybersecurity

A 15-hour course where learners explore ways to be safe online. They are introduced to different types of cyberattacks, measures used by organizations to mitigate risks, career options in the field of cybersecurity.

• Cybersecurity Essentials

A 30-hour course developing a foundational understanding of cybersecurity and how it relates to information and network security.

• Linux Unhatched

An 8-hour course covering fundamental concepts surrounding basic Linux commands and establishes basic knowledge in Linux, a valuable skill needed for in-demand IT careers.

• Linux Essentials

A 70-hour course covering the fundamentals of the Linux operating system and its command line.

• Python Essentials

A 70-hour course covering basic coding in Python, as well as general computer programming techniques and concepts. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate, an important boon to their resumes.

Homa Naficy, executive director of The American Place, and her team are building onto CISCO’s program by adding a personal touch. They will reach out to potential applicants to assist with registration and navigating the online courses. Naficy said that by being proactive, library staff can increase the retention rate of people who start the program.

The new course offerings fit into the library’s overall efforts to provide people with opportunities to improve their own circumstances in a long-term, sustainable way. It also aligns with Governor Ned Lamont’s statewide efforts to increase free online learning access for people using unemployment insurance and those economically impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are bringing people into the technology workforce,” Naficy said. “Not only is Hartford Public Library helping people learn basic skills, we are now also building the digital skills to help them get careers in the field.”

For more information or to enroll in the program, visit tap.hplct.org or call 860-695-6337.

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