New benefits for Cisco 360 Learning Program

Today I’ve received an e-mail with the following content:

Dear Cisco Certified Colleague,

CCIE certifications are as popular as ever. A recent publication has listed both the CCIE and the CCIE Voice certifications in their top 10 IT networking list* and has cited both as highly sought-after by employers. If that’s not enough motivation to keep moving up the certification ladder, the Global Knowledge 2010 IT Skills and Salary Survey identifies the CCIE credential as the highest paid networking certification!

The Cisco 360 Learning Program can help you obtain the knowledge and skills you need to pass the rigorous CCIE certification lab exam. As the only Cisco developed and approved CCIE training program available, the blended learning curriculum contains over 350 hours of practical, hands-on lab configurations that have been proven to accelerate development.

Now, Cisco has enhanced its expert-level training program to offer additional value and training assurance to help you work your way towards a Cisco CCIE® certification. Beginning June 22, 2010, you will be given more time to practice expert-level skills using the Cisco 360 Learning Program components. The subscription period for all components that are accessed through LMS will be extended from 12 months to 18 months.

  • The extension applies to Preassessment Lab, Self-Paced Lessons (also downloadable), Performance Assessments, Practice Workbook, and the Reference Library.
  • The extension will be automatically made in the LMS for all current subscriptions

The following benefits** will also be available to qualified Cisco 360 Learning Program students:

Benefits: Qualifications to be met by June 30, 2011:
Free graded Preassessment Lab
(value of $289 USD)
When you purchase at least one instructor-led workshop for CCIE Routing and Switching or CCIE Voice and the Preassessment Lab will be made available for free through your Cisco 360 Learning Management System (LMS) account.
Priority scheduling of CCIE Mobile Lab Event When you purchase and complete at least one instructor-led workshop for CCIE Routing and Switching or CCIE Voice and all classroom assessments, then contact your Cisco Learning Partner for scheduling assistance.
Cisco Lab Safe: Free retake on CCIE Lab Exam, which is valid for 18 months from the day it is issued
(value of $1400 USD)
You must complete at least one of the following two qualifications:

  • Previous Promotion Extended: Purchase and complete either the Essentials or Preferred bundle for CCIE Routing and Switching and complete the four Lab Readiness Assessments (CIERS03, CIERS04, CIERS10, and CIERS11), earning a score of 80 or better on at least one assessment.
  • New Promotion: Purchase and complete at least one instructor-led workshop for CCIE Routing and Switching or CCIE Voice, including all classroom assessments. (No additional assessments need be purchased and no minimum score is required).

In both scenarios, you must first make one paid attempt at the lab, and then contact Learning Partner to request free voucher code from Cisco by December 31, 2011. Free retake is limited to one per track

It seems that Cisco is trying to attract more audience to it’s program. The benefits are great, what can I say, but in this time also a change in the price system would be welcomed.