Cisco’s FY25 Goal Report: A Letter from Fran Katsoudas


If technique units course, studying is what makes it final. Studying is without doubt one of the clearest locations the place Cisco’s Goal and enterprise intersect. Guaranteeing that persons are ready to participate in a digital and AI-enabled economic system is crucial to sustainable development, long-term belief, and shared success. When individuals have the abilities to adapt, organizations transfer quicker  with larger resilience and stronger outcomes. 

Inside Cisco, we’ve been intentional about investing in our personal capabilities. In fiscal 2025, greater than 37,000 workers accomplished AI-focused studying — a 76% year-over-year improve — strengthening our skill to innovate, redesign work, and ship worth to our clients. As work continues to evolve, studying has turn into one of many strongest methods leaders allow the longer term and drive momentum. For instance, at Cisco, workers are twice as possible to make use of AI when their supervisor does, and constant customers are extra productive and extra engaged. 

On the identical time, our dedication to studying has by no means stopped at our personal partitions. By way of Cisco Networking Academy, we’ve helped greater than 28 million learners construct the abilities wanted to take part within the digital economic system. And, by way of Be taught with Cisco, we’re supporting the White Home’s Pledge to America’s Youth: Investing in AI Schooling with a dedication to coach a million individuals throughout the US. 

In December, IDC MarketScape acknowledged Cisco as a Chief in IT Coaching Providers in each Europe1 and North America2. We see that recognition not as a end line, however as encouragement to maneuver sooner — extending the boldness and functionality we’re constructing inside Cisco to our companions, clients, and communities world wide. 

Be taught extra about our progress and objectives in our FY25 Goal Report.

Thousands and thousands of Stories: The Influence of Studying  

Group of five employees sitting in a booth with laptops open Group of five employees sitting in a booth with laptops open

A latest dialog powerfully highlighted the significance and impression of training. Throughout a dialogue with Fairness Financial institution in Kenya about their studying applications for underserved youth, we realized that certainly one of our Cisco colleagues within the assembly was a graduate of this program. She shared how this bank-sponsored training profoundly modified her life. This private testimony underscored the real-world impression of Fairness Financial institution’s efforts. As I shared how Cisco Networking Academy builds digital abilities at scale, a senior chief from the financial institution spoke up. He shared that he earned his Cisco Licensed Community Affiliate (CCNA) by way of Cisco Networking Academy — an expertise that launched his profession and led him to the government position he holds in the present day. 

In an organization as far-reaching as Cisco, we don’t at all times get to listen to the person tales behind our work — however once we do, they convey our impression to life. Within the final fiscal yr alone, greater than 5 million learners engaged with Cisco Networking Academy, which suggests tens of millions of tales like these are unfolding world wide. Every one is a reminder that what we do issues — creating pathways for individuals to take part extra totally sooner or later. 

Studying in Partnership

One essential manner that we proceed to study as a company and keep linked to our trade is thru our management of the AI Workforce Consortium. This collaboration brings collectively Cisco, Accenture, Cornerstone, Eightfold AI, Google, IBM, Certainly, Intel, Microsoft, and SAP. Collectively, we’re mapping how AI is reshaping greater than 50 essential know-how and supporting roles throughout G7 international locations — and, simply as importantly, constructing sensible pathways so individuals can put together for what’s subsequent. 

 The Consortium’s 2025 analysis exhibits that 78% of jobs already require AI abilities. Nevertheless it additionally makes clear that human abilities — management, problem-solving, innovation, collaboration, and communication — will decide how impactful AI in the end turns into. 

That very same analysis reinforces the necessity for steady studying to unlock the total potential of the workforce. It’s telling that Studying & Growth Specialist is now probably the most in-demand know-how assist position within the U.S. and Canada, underscoring how strongly organizations are prioritizing studying agility in an AI-driven economic system. That sign is difficult to disregard. At Cisco, we’re appearing on it by investing in new studying roles and enterprise-wide efforts that assist our individuals construct the abilities to leap forward in an AI-driven future. 

Permission to Rethink Every thing

Moments just like the one I skilled in Kenya stick with me as a result of they make clear what’s really at stake. They remind me that we live in a uncommon time — one that provides us permission to rethink all the pieces. How will we spend our sources? What breakthroughs will we pursue? And how much human expertise will we need to allow? 

At Cisco, we’re lucky to be navigating this second from a place of energy, grounded in main know-how, hard-earned belief, our individuals, and our Goal.

However with that energy comes the accountability to pause and ask the appropriate questions on how we transfer ahead collectively.  

  • As trade leaders, how will we assist form markets that broaden alternative and set the usual for safe, trusted, and inclusive innovation? 
  • As individuals leaders, how will we mannequin studying in actual time, utilizing AI ourselves and constructing cultures the place curiosity, braveness, and compassion drive progress? 
  • And as people, how will we adapt, unlearn, and retool, realizing that our collective success in the end relies upon on our private willingness to develop? 

These questions aren’t simply theoretical for us. In fiscal 2025, we answered every with a actual and measurable dedication: 

  • 573,000 worker volunteer hours and the sixth consecutive yr exceeding our 80% group impression goal 
  • 31 disaster response efforts and over 900 worker volunteers supporting communities in disaster 
  • 100% renewable vitality to match world annual electrical energy wants at Cisco owned and leased amenities3
  • 154 million lives positively impacted by way of the Cisco Basis and Social Influence Investments

Behind every of those metrics are human tales of resilience and expanded chance. Our accountability is to make sure this progress continues — human, inclusive, and grounded in belief. That’s how we are going to meet this second: by studying, by main, and by serving to others do the identical. 

 

Be taught extra:

Goal at Cisco
FY25 Goal Report
Goal Reporting Hub