GARY | Methodist Hospitals recently donated thousands of dollars in computer equipment to the Gary Area Career Center as a way to enhance the quality of education in Northwest Indiana.

When Shaw Collins, Methodist Hospitals director of information technology, attended his first meeting of the Gary Area Career Center Advisory Board this spring, he learned about the center's Cisco Networking Academy.

The Cisco Academy teaches students how to design, build and maintain computer networks by providing them hands-on practice with cables/connectors, tools, computers, networking and electronic test equipment. After hearing the center's Cisco instructor, Randy Becker, explain the benefits of the program, Collins saw an opportunity to help advance the technology education of the students, according to a news release.

Because Methodist Hospitals recently underwent upgrades in its technological infrastructure, there was a combination of new and rarely used computer equipment Collins believed could be better used at the Cisco Academy. Hospital executive management concluded the routers, switches and Voice over Internet Protocol phones could be put to use at the academy.

"We relish opportunities as these to contribute in ways that help the communities we serve," Methodist Hospitals President/CEO Claude Watts Jr. said in the release.

"It is evident the Gary Area Career Center is making large strides in preparing today's youth for the workforce of tomorrow. We hope to continue to partner in efforts that improve the quality of life for all of Northwest Indiana."

The new equipment will be used to create a pilot class in the fall.

Students will gain hands-on experience with VoIP and wireless security, two emerging forms of technology that businesses use to improve communication and protect information.

Though they are high-school age, students in the Cisco Academy are learning concepts being taught at the college level and practiced in today's workplace. The new equipment will lead students to gain information technology internships and jobs in northwest Indiana.

"These kids will hit the ground running for what the market needs," Collins said.

- For The Times