Government is calling for candidates to take up the opportunity to take part in a computer certification academy that will initially be offered free of charge.According to Information Services Minister Michael Scott, the Cisco certification covers a network support system popular with companies Island-wide, as well as with Government.A director from a Jamaican Cisco Academy is to train a group of Bermudians as Cisco instructors, starting May 7.The aim is to offer on-Island courses in Cisco by the summer.“I particularly want to reach out to young people and to users of Cisco networks on the Island,” Mr Scott said. “Cisco is a worldwide leader in network system support. It’s extremely important given Bermuda’s international business and banking platform. This will prepare our people to support the companies here, and give Bermudians a bigger presence as chief information officers.”Depending on the success of the programme, the Island could ultimately see students from overseas coming to Bermuda for training, he said.“We’re also offering this certification so that people don’t have the burden of travelling overseas, which will be a huge advantage,” explained senior policy analyst Rhonda Woods-Smith. “We have people in Bermuda who have experience but no certification. This will enable them to marry that experience with the Cisco qualification.”Director of Government’s Information Technology office Michael Oatley, said the Cisco training will be intensive, and candidates will have to be interviewed before being accepted onto it. However, the nine-month course will be open to non-Bermudian residents, and will initially be free of charge.“It will be delivered in modules, which we expect to take around six hours a week,” he said.Five trainees will be instructed next month by the visiting director, with one of them selected to become an instructor in turn. The other trainees will come away with qualifications of their own.The initial training phase will cost Government about $150,000 to complete, Mr Scott said. At first, the Cisco classes will use the Information Technology office, but the scheme is ultimately to be housed at the Bermuda College. Mr Scott said he was optimistic that, with so many companies on the Island seeking to enhance their employees’ qualifications, the Cisco Academy could secure broad corporate sponsorship.Those interested in taking the Cisco course should contact the Ministry of Information Services, Mr Scott said.Useful website: www.cisco.com.