SUNNYVALE, Calif., December 4, 2013 – Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT) – a global leader in high-performance network security – today announced that it would extend its relationship with Willis College of Business, Technology and Healthcare in Ottawa (Ontario, Canada) in order to train future employees.
Fortinet and Willis College are working together to develop a new Advanced Network Security Professional Program focused on developing technical and professional skills necessary to design, implement and support the security requirements of complex networks.
To date, Fortinet has hired more than 40 graduates of Willis College and, thanks to this investment, expects to hire even more over the next five years.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada I want to congratulate Fortinet on making this substantial investment in training their workforce of the future and creating high-paying jobs for Canadians,” said the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism. “This is exactly the type of employer investment in training that our Government is trying to encourage with the Canada Job Grant. Today’s announcement also demonstrates the good work career colleges like Willis College are doing to train Canadians for jobs that are in-demand in today’s labour market.”
“We hear a lot about the skills gap in Canada. Willis College’s partnership with Fortinet will help address this gap and provide training and meaningful employment to unemployed or underemployed Canadians,” said Rima Aristocrat, president and CEO of Willis College.
Fortinet’s investment in this process includes the construction and establishment of a comprehensive network security lab at Willis College’s Ottawa campus. This will be in addition to technical curriculum development, training assistance and overall program direction.
“Having worked with Willis College for four years, we feel certain that we will succeed in the development of a curriculum that will teach students valuable skills and qualify them for positions that we have open today and in the future,” said Michael Anderson, vice president of global support and services for Fortinet.
With programs slated to start early next year, the intention is to create at a significant number of well-paying, full time jobs in Ottawa in the coming years.
