Investing in Digital Skills
Pathways Work Experience
Take the first step towards your future and get a taste of what it’s like working in the technology industry. See first-hand some of the amazing things we do, and meet the people who help to make it all happen.
Addressing The Skills Gap
Cisco Pathways is celebrating 10 years! Launched in 2014, Pathways targets young people from low-socioeconomic areas, diverse ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify as female and non-binary. The programme aims to raise career aspirations and inspire careers in technology, addressing the tech sector's lack of diversity.
And that’s where you come in. You don’t have to be technical to be a part of the team. No matter what you’re planning for your future, there’s a route in to Cisco for everyone. Keep reading to discover which programme could be best for you.
A Great Start For Your Career
You’ve decided a career in technology is for you, but where do you start? Gain valuable skills, experience and on the job training through our entry-level programmes. This could be the beginning of a very exciting future.
Kickstart Your Future
We believe in digital opportunity for everyone. For individuals, communities and organisations across the UK. Which is why we run programmes to help everyone in the UK develop their digital skills.
Learn more about our digital skills programmes and routes into Cisco. Download a copy of the Kickstart Your Future brochure.
Pathways Programme
Cisco Pathways is celebrating 10 years! Launched in 2014, Pathways targets young people from low-socioeconomic areas, diverse ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify as female and non-binary. The programme aims to raise career aspirations and inspire careers in technology, addressing the tech sector's lack of diversity. Initially focused on work experience, it now includes school partnerships and T levels, supporting over 5,500 students so far. Cisco has hired 21 apprentices from the program, with 81% identifying as female and 67% from ethnic minority backgrounds. For more data, see the attached Social Impact report.
Pathways School Programme
We’ve partnered with selected schools across Berkshire, West London and Manchester for the Pathways programme for students and schools who most need our support.
This programme incorporates in-school workshops and visits to Cisco offices for students in Y7-9, plus priority access to our Pathways work experience for students in Y11-13.
Not a Pathways partner school? No matter where you are, teachers can download and deliver our Y7-9 STEM resources. These are interactive one-hour lessons and five-hour challenges across the STEM subjects, introducing students to upcoming technologies including the Internet of Things (IoT).
Our Pathways school programme for Y7-9 aims to reach 11 to 14 year old students from diverse backgrounds, inspiring them to consider careers in technology and addressing the lack of diversity in the IT sector.
95%
Obtained useful information that will help them with the next steps in their career
70%
Identified as Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic
18% Black, 38% Asian and 14% Mixed
54%
Identified as female
Pathways Work Experience Programmes
Curious about a career in technology? Looking for work experience that’s fun, exciting and where you can get stuck in? Look no further than our award winning Pathways work experience programmes. You don’t have to be tech-savvy to take part; they’re open to everyone.
We’ve got technical and non-technical sessions for you to choose from showing the variety of roles in the technology industry. Hear from people who do these jobs every day, and learn what it’s like to work for Cisco and inspire your choices for a career in IT.
The programmes are available in two formats: hybrid and virtual. The hybrid format means that you would spend some time both in the office and online. The offices you could join us in are Bedfont Lakes, Feltham and Didsbury near Manchester. The third option for those that don’t live near one of these offices is to attend fully virtually using Webex, our video conferencing platform.
stated that Cisco work experience made them aware of different career opportunities in the IT industry and helped them feel better prepared for the world of work.
Sound good? We’ve got two great programmes for you to choose from:
Year 11 & 12
Open to students in years 11 & 12.
Join us for the hybrid or virtual programme with sessions on marketing, sales, engineering, sustainability, IT, cyber security, customer experience and more there is plenty to choose from. Or attend them all and hear about the wide range or roles in a global IT company. There'll be presentations, mock interviews, practical workshops and tours. And on top of all that you'll work in groups to design and pitch your very own tech-inspired business idea to our panel of judges? Time to get your innovation caps on.
2025 dates
17-21 February
7-11 July – applications open in March 2025
“My work experience at Cisco has provided me with a fascinating insight of the IT industry and how much it can influence our daily lives. As a consequence, I have decided to study computer science at A level. It was a truly unforgettable opportunity.”
Year 12 & 13 work experience for young women and those who identify as female or non-binary
Believe it or not, everyone who works in IT isn’t an engineer. Join us for four days of discovery as we unveil the technology industry and the diverse range of careers available.
You can join us for the hybrid or virtual programme depending on your location. You’ll join others getting a taste of real work life to give your CV that extra boost. Drive your own learning and contribute to real work scenarios. You could be learning from Sales, IT, Marketing, Engineering or any other business area and get to develop your presentation and communication skills, problem solving and team working.
2025 dates
27 - 30 October 2025
“The programme has influenced my career aspirations and shown me that I enjoy sales so much that I plan to apply for the Graduate programme!”
T Level Industry Placements
We also do industry placements for the T Level Technical Qualification in Digital Production, Design and Development. This is a six week placement with individuals joining us in our offices in a learn how to work programme.
Girls in IT
We believe in digital opportunity for everyone. For individuals, communities and organisations across the UK. Which is why we run programmes to help everyone in the UK develop their digital skills. Learn more about our digital skills programmes and routes into Cisco in the Kickstart Your Future brochure.
“I didn’t think I would like [STEM] at all and didn’t even consider doing anything in technology but [Girls in IT] has changed my mind.”
Apprenticeships
We know university isn’t for everyone, and securing a graduate role can be pretty tricky without decent work experience. Luckily for you, our Degree Apprenticeship is a great way to kick-start your career.
Over a four-year programme you’ll explore a huge variety of roles within Cisco. Giving you the knowledge and on-the-job experience to specialise in working directly with technology or supporting the people that make it happen. You’ll define your career path, complete a major project and deliver real results to the business. You will study for a BSc in Digital and Technology Solutions or a BSc in Professional Management; you’ll earn the same qualifications as a university graduate.
To top it all off you’ll have a strong base of support, thanks to a brilliant group of current apprentices, mentors, managers and more, all ready to guide and advise you.
"The Apprenticeship programme was a great opportunity to accelerate my role readiness by providing me with the relevant training and experience I needed to enter the corporate world."
Internships
Our selection of internships are specifically designed for those actively in education and range from nine week summer placements to 12 month year-in-industry opportunities. No longer just for university students, if you're in on a bootcamp or technical course, there's an internship that's right for you.
Full Time Early In Career Roles
What lies ahead? Whether you're self-taught with some limited industry experience, approaching the end of your university experience or even already completed an apprenticeship, early career opportunities could be the ideal path towards an inspiring and transformative career journey.
Kick-start your career in tech with the Cisco Networking Academy
Whether curious about tech or ready to build a career, learners can find their fit with introductory to advanced courses across foundational tech topics like cybersecurity, networking, IT infrastructure, programming, and data science. The Cisco Networking Academy allows learners to gain industry-relevant skills and ample practice with hands-on & virtual labs, projects, and practical experiences. Learners can earn industry certifications that employers value, validating you have vendor-neutral, transferable technical skills.
Download a copy of our Social Impact Report:
2024 Social Impact Report (new report attached)
We believe in digital opportunity for everyone. For individuals, communities and organisations across the UK. Which is why we run programmes to help everyone in the UK develop their digital skills. Learn more about our digital skills programmes and routes into Cisco. Download a copy of the Kickstart Your Future brochure.
Kickstart Your Future Brochure
Cisco has a purpose to Power an Inclusive Future for All. Our 2022 Purpose Report summarises how we have brought this purpose to life. The report describes our commitments, goals, progress, and impact for the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) topics that are significant to achieving Cisco's purpose and are important for our stakeholders.