The Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) is building on its International Trade Competency Standards (ICS) project by collaborating with global industry experts, including the Institute of Export & International Trade (IOExIT) UK.
OTTAWA, Nov. 18, 2014 /CNW/ - The top challenge businesses face when attempting to find and take advantage of global growth opportunities is acquiring talent that meets the competency requirements of their jobs. This affects whether or not an organization can hit the ground running in new markets with new customers.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141117/159146)
By creating a set of recognized international business standards, industry professionals will be better able to equip themselves with the right knowledge, skills and abilities to thrive in global trade. These standards will also ensure employers are aware of the competencies they need to look for and train for to fill their human resource gaps and grow successfully.
Early in 2014, The Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) began an International Competency Standards (ICS) project, funded in part by the Government of Canada's Sectoral Initiatives Program. International trade professionals with experience in markets around the world have been taking part in cross-Canada focus groups to define exactly what it takes to be competent in jobs core to global business. The on-going process will also involve reviewing and verifying all project findings, as well as undertaking a series of interviews and surveys with the global trade community.
"This project is bringing coherence and defining what international trade is in ways not done in the past," says Phil Mondor, Senior Vice President, Emerit Training & Consulting Solutions.
Emerit was hired as the competency researcher, and is assisting FITT in running the focus groups and distilling the information gathered during all phases of the project.
"By defining global business in a new way, it brings more visibility and profile to the whole sector."
As focus group sessions continue across the country, FITT is also welcoming experts from all over North America and the world to participate in subsequent project phases. For example, professionals working in the industry are being asked to review the competencies developed during the focus groups.
"We're asking for revision assistance from individuals currently doing jobs core to international trade and relevant to these competencies," says Kathryn Ohashi, Manager of Product and Service Development at FITT. "We want to ensure the competencies are up-to-date and accurately reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities global trade professionals need in order to do their jobs well in the real world."
To learn more about FITT's International Trade Competency Standards (ICS) project, or to find out how you can get involved, visit: http://www.fitt.ca/competencystandards.
Or contact:
Kathryn Ohashi, Manager, Product and Service Development
613.230.3553 x 109 / 800.561.3488
Email: [email protected]
In an effort to continue moving toward global standards in international trade, FITT has also announced its collaboration with the Institute of Export & International Trade (IOExIT) UK to cross-accredit both organizations' international trade credentials.
"We are very proud to be working with FITT, one of the only organizations we have found currently committed to the quality that we aspire to here in the United Kingdom," says Lesley Batchelor OBE, Director General of the IOExIT. "We hope that this is the start of many collaborations that will bring a standard and recognition of the value of studying world trade and getting it right!"
IOExIT was established in the UK back in 1935 after a period of heavy recession to support economic recovery by increasing exports in goods and services. FITT was later established in 1992 to support Canadian business growth through global trade. FITT's teaching models were originally modelled after what FITT-founder Dieter Hollweck, CITP®|FIBP®, saw organizations like IOExIT doing in Europe at the time.
"FITT and IOExIT are committed to ensuring quality international trade programs and credentials, which makes a collaboration between the two organizations an obvious fit" says Caroline Tompkins, CITP®|FIBP®, President at FITT. "Strengthening trade competencies internationally will benefit not only individuals but also their employers, and ultimately the world economy."
To find out about potential opportunities for collaborating with FITT on international trade training and accreditation or for further information on the cross-accreditation between FITT and IOExIT, contact:
Silvia Baptista, FITT Manager of Product and Service Delivery
613.230.3553 x 106 / 800.561.3488
Email: [email protected]
About FITT
The Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing international business training, resources and professional certification to individuals and businesses.
We offer the only international business training programs and related professional designation (CITP®|FIBP®) endorsed by the World Trade Centers Association and the Canadian government. And our international business training solutions have become the standard of excellence for global trade professionals across Canada and around the world.
For more information, please visit: www.fitt.ca.
Image with caption: "Helping individuals and businesses thrive in global trade. (CNW Group/Forum for International Trade Training)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141118_C7201_PHOTO_EN_8183.jpg
SOURCE: Forum for International Trade Training
Kathryn Ohashi, Manager, Product and Service Development, 613.230.3553 x 109 / 800.561.3488, Email: [email protected]
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