African Connections Ghana Ltd. and Cisco Systems© have collaborated to create “The African Connections – Cisco Entrepreneur Training Center”. The Training Center, an NGO, was created to establish Cisco Entrepreneur Institutes throughout Ghana, and to provide each Institute with support.

Cisco Entrepreneur Institutes provide business skills training to entrepreneurs, including distance learning; and also serve as resource centers for sound business advice, mentoring, and services for experienced and prospective entrepreneurs.

The AC – Cisco Entrepreneur Training Center is responsible for administration and support of Cisco Entrepreneur Institutes.  The Training Center ensures that all Institute Managers and Facilitators are trained and certified by Cisco, and that all Institute locations meet specific criteria with regard to curriculum, location, size, and IT infrastructure.

The Center accomplishes this by making sure that all Institutes are operated professionally and with integrity. This is achieved by ensuring utilization of the Cisco curriculum, enhanced by local knowledge; and that all Institutes comply with Cisco operating policies and procedures. Regular monitoring and assessment of Institute operations and participant outcomes is a crucial part of this process. The process also includes ongoing training and support for Facilitators.

By using Cisco program components and resources, the Training Center helps to assure top performance of Institutes. This is achieved by selecting qualified Facilitators to deliver the workshops; and providing mentoring and support for program content, Institute operations, best practices, and other key components.

Ultimately, The African Connections – Cisco Entrepreneur Training Center© is designed to create a platform which “...provides participants with real world business skills, combining business theory with tested strategies for success.”