A Net@ House equipped with a call center is currently being opened in Beit Shean

The first cycle of students in the Beit Shean Partnership 2000 Net@ Project is currently engaged in challenging studies, which in the near future will certify students as Cisco Systems information network managers.

They're 17, they come from the Beit Shean region, and soon they'll be holders of certificates qualifying them as Cisco information network managers.

Seventy students, boys and girls, are participating in the Net@ Project in the Beit Shean region.  The Net@ Project is a joint initiative of Cisco Systems, the NGO Tapuach Organization, Keren Hayesod, and the Jewish Agency.

Net@ offers a three-year training program for students in grades 9-11 who reside in Israel's geographic and socio-economic periphery.  Participants study twice a week after school hours and are guided by a professional hi-tech instructor.

Net@ participants learn in a professional PC technician's course that includes topics such as: routine repairs and maintenance, installation of operating systems and supporting software, identifying malfunctions, and, of course, repairing them.  Additionally, the course's participants acquire knowledge in computer networking technologies.

The curriculum is entirely based on Cisco Systems Networking Academy instructional products.  Throughout the program students practice under practical laboratory conditions, where the emphasis is on gaining in-depth familiarity with the most modern and up-to-date communication equipment in the world today.  Studies consist of three interwoven tracks that prepare the student for internationally recognized accreditation exams.  Passing these exams and becoming certified assures the student of being positioned at the forefront of the professional workforce in the global field of computer systems and data communication.  The Net@ Project grants students Cisco Systems certification as PC technicians and information network managers.

In addition to technological training, students are assigned a Partnership 2000 social counselor who accompanies them throughout the project and infuses them with qualities of leadership and community.  The program's students commit to giving back to the community by way of a unique activity-and indeed, a Net@ House equipped with a call center is currently being opened in Beit Shean.  The call center will be staffed by project trainees who will assist callers from the region by providing technical support for operating their PCs.  Next month students will make the rounds among the city's kindergartens and help solve computer problems.  It's important to note that students in the Net@ Project will undergo special training for working at the call center.