Countdown underway for businesses to upskill staff with ground-breaking export degree

Employers seeking to capitalise on the wealth of opportunities in global trade have until 21^st September to sign up to the Institute of Export’s flagship Foundation Degree course.
The two-year, online FdA Professional Practice in International Trade – developed in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University – is the first qualification of its kind and equips students with the professional and academic skills to succeed in international business.
Taught by Anglia Ruskin University tutors and international trade experts, the course is suitable for professionals working in export, import or trade, regardless of industry or sector, with students learning alongside others from all areas of global trade practice. They also benefit from a growing academic and business network as they progress.
Designed to fit around full-time employment, the degree underpins current industry knowledge with academic theory and skills and is taught through a mixture of online tutorials, podcasts and work-based assignments. It is intended to bridge the gap between the Institute’s NVQ qualification range and degree courses – offering significant benefits to both employees and employers.
Chairman of the Rail Freight Group, Lord Berkeley, said: “Britain’s future is as a trading nation, with a thriving export sector and businesses with global connections. This qualification offers students a potent combination of expertise built up by those on the front-line of international trade with the academic rigor of a university course – something I am sure many others will seek to replicate in different fields.”
Tony Howard, head of higher skills @ work at Anglia Ruskin University, said; “These qualifications fit the University’s strategic mission to engage closely with employers, professional organisations and practitioners to create programmes that blend academic learning with practical, sector based knowledge.
“Given the sector expertise of the Institute of Export and Anglia Ruskin’s experience in delivering work related learning, we hope that in time these awards will define the industry’s learning benchmark”
Lesley Batchelor OBE, director general of the IOE, said: “In a rapidly changing global economy, we face a skills crisis as businesses find staff increasingly lacking the practical knowledge needed in international trade. This Foundation Degree is designed to equip graduates for real-life situations, with assignments and tutors focused on the situations faced every day in the workplace.
“The course enables flexible learning at a pace appropriate to each individual, while ensuring graduates are equipped to tackle the challenges of modern business and equally ensure their careers develop as fully as possible.”
To apply now visit http://www.export.org.uk/foundation-degree-application-request The Foundation Degree is one of a number of recognised, formal qualifications provided by the IOE, whose aim is to professionalise international trade.
Issued on behalf of the Institute of Export by Quest Public Relations Ltd. Media contacts are Sharon Cain or Toni Pickersgill – 01423 564192, [email protected] or [email protected]
About the Institute Of Export
The Institute of Export (IOE) was established in 1935 and is incorporated as a registered charity under the patronage of HRH The Duke of Kent. The Institute’s mission is to enhance the export performance of the United Kingdom by setting and raising professional standards in international trade management and export practice. This is achieved principally by the provision of education and training programmes.
Dedicated to professionalism and recognising the challenging and often complex trading conditions in international markets, the Institute is committed to the belief that real competitive advantage lies in competence and that commercial power, especially negotiating power, is underpinned by a sound basis of knowledge.
The IOE is the only professional body in the UK offering recognised, formal qualifications in International Trade. As an awarding body with the QCF the IOE is registered to make and grant qualifications. This includes modern apprenticeships, foundation degrees and all six levels of the National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs).
Visit http://www.export.org.uk/ for more information on the Institute.