11/6/2006 -- An annual customer feedback survey commissioned by Cisco's CCIE Program revealed that CCIE candidates are spending an average of $9,000, compared to last year's reported $7,600, in their pursuit of Cisco's highest level of certification -- with less support from their employers.

In fact, overall employer support -- by way of equipment access, paid training and exam preparation -- has dropped from last year, and just a little more than half of all surveyed employers pay for at least some of their employees' exam costs.

According to Cisco, this reflects a growing trend of employees paying for the lion's share of their exam expenses. Compared to just 50 percent of last year's survey participants, 66 percent this year expect little or no financial reimbursement from their employers.

Nevertheless, the survey shows that just over 20 percent of participants cited "lack of employer support" as the biggest challenge in pursuing CCIE; by comparison, more than 70 percent cited "busy work schedule."

And while the majority of surveyed employers said they offer their employees other incentives -- such as recognition and salary increases -- for achieving this hands-on lab certification, which costs $1,250 for the test alone, about 80 percent of employees said "personal satisfaction" was their strongest motivation for becoming certified. Less than 40 percent said "bonus."

Cisco's annual CCIE Program survey collects feedback from CCIEs and potential candidates regarding exam policies and program benefits. This year's survey had 1,042 participants, representing 880 companies and 62 countries.

This year's results also show the continued popularity of the CCIE Security certification, and an increasing interest in the CCIE Voice track, particularly among those without certification.

The survey also yielded some suggestions for the CCIE testing program, including the addition of more troubleshooting lab exercises and "written exam questions that test knowledge, not ability to locate obscure facts in documentation."

Go here to download the survey's summary of results as a .PDF. -Gladys Rama