2022 may be best summed up by the word “hybrid”. As the world largely moved on from lockdowns and social distancing, many workplaces moved on to hybrid models allowing their employees the flexibility to pivot with these changing times.

There were mass layoffs, and yet the hiring landscape remained competitive. Many of us, both personally and professionally, saw a “return to normal” while also navigating a continually challenging economic and business environment.

Similarly, FITT saw the continued value in offering flexibility, with an uptick in learners taking the FITTskills program through our educational partners in an in-class, instructor-led setting – while still seeing a large portion of learners progressing through the program through the self-led online option.

No matter how they earned their knowledge and experience in international business, an impressive number of individuals from a wide range of sectors, job roles, and organizations put in the work to achieve their professional goals by enhancing their skills and earning FITT credentials in 2022.

During the 2022 calendar year:

• 19,055 FITTskills courses and workshops were issued to learners
• 2,239 FITT digital badges were shared online
• 247 people achieved their FITT Certificate in International Trade, bringing the all-time total of FITT Certificate Holders to 7,362
• 359 people achieved their FITT Diploma in International Trade, bringing the all-time total of FITT Diploma Holders to 5,725
• 235 individuals achieved the CITP designation, bringing the all-time total of individuals who have been certified by FITT to 1,842

When FITTskills participants, graduates and CITP|FIBPs share their stories of why they took FITTskills training or took steps to earn FITT credentials, we get consistent feedback that reinforces the value of them to individuals at all stages of their careers – from students to CEOs.

For some, attending the in-class training led to valuable networking connections, mentorships and  business opportunities.

Many said the CITP designation gave them the confidence and credibility to go after their dream job, or land a new contract with a big client.

Others were looking to equip their teams with the specific skills and knowledge needed to successfully achieve their organization’s international business goals.

CITP earners represent diverse roles connected by common goals

In 2022 235 individuals were awarded the designation that stands as the symbol of both competency and credibility for global business professionals, bringing the all-time total of individual earners to 1,842.

This cohort of earners represents 200+ different organizations from small, medium, and large-sized companies in the private sector, government departments, regional export offices, and financial institutions – including:

Mustang Survival, ClimeCo, Gryd, Liveable Cities (LED Roadway Lighting), Vitalus Nutrition Inc, Arc’teryx, UPS, Newlook Eyewear, Lutron Electronics, Erickson Coaching International, Right at Home Realty Brokerage, Magna International, Delmar International, HSBC, RBC Royal Bank of Canada, Desjardins, Guaranty Trust Bank Limited, TD Canada Trust, Scotiabank, EDC, Global Affairs Canada, Canadian Commercial Corporation, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Commercial Service, The Turks and Caicos Island Government, Export Development Canada, and many more.

The breadth of sectors, business size, and job roles represented by CITPs are connected by the common thread of doing business beyond borders and proves the value of the designation for businesses trading internationally.

Every year we love to see the variety in roles that the latest cohort of CITPs inhabits. The group of earners from 2022 includes policy analysts, researchers, business development & sales managers, investment officers, loan service managers, customs brokers, procurement specialists, international business consultants, trade commissioners, marketing directors, border services officers and many others – from entry level to C-suite executives.

All of these professionals in sectors ranging from policy analysis to marketing and procurement see the importance of proving they have a thorough grasp of international trade processes, a commitment to global trade, and a dedication to ethical business practices and ongoing professional development.

More than a third of FITT Diploma earners went on to achieve the CITP

In 2022 an impressive 359 individuals earned the FITT Diploma in International Trade – a credential presented to individuals who have successfully completed the FITTskills program, through FITTskills online, through one of our educational partners, or through our portfolio submission process.

Earning the FITT Diploma meets the educational requirement for the CITP|FIBP designation for those applying through Pathway 1 (FITT Diploma Pathway).

We are thrilled to see 35% of 2022 diploma holders went on to earn the CITP designation. FITT Diploma earners have demonstrated their knowledge in each key category that, working together, complete international trade transactions.

This full picture of international trade prepares individuals to work effectively with colleagues and clients across the full spectrum of trade activities and sectors.

In 2022 there are more than 50 companies and 100 different job roles represented by FITT Diploma earners, from finance to customs, and large corporations (Home Depot, J.D. Irving Limited, BGRS, ATB Financial, Héroux-Devtek, and more), SMEs (Crank Software, Glenview Pharma, Fisher King Seafoods, Kelford Inc.) Government departments and regional trade offices (World Trade Centres, Toronto Region Board of Trade, STEP, Natural Resources Canada, Ontario Government, Caribbean Export Development Agency, and more) financial institutions, and many others.

FITT Certificate earners are continual learners

For those looking to begin or fill gaps in their international trade knowledge, earning the FITT Certificate in International Trade is a fantastic place to start. This credential is presented to individuals who’ve successfully completed any 3 FITTskills courses, or the equivalency thereof. Earning this certificate proves your knowledge in some of the key skills areas of global business.

In 2022 we proudly presented 247 individuals with this credential, from more than 60 different companies or organizations, and representing 80+ unique job roles. While earning the FITT Certificate is an accomplishment in itself, many didn’t stop there, with 46% of them going on to earn the FITT Diploma and 21% achieving the CITP designation in the same year.

The drive to grow and excel in their careers and businesses spurred 2022’s FITT credentials earners to gain valuable knowledge, skills and prestigious industry-recognized achievements.

We offer our heartfelt congratulations to all of the credential earners and celebrate their commitment to their international trade careers and professional development.

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What Are Digital Badges?

Digital badges are an innovative way to display achievements and qualifications to potential employers. They can be attached to resumes and email signatures, embedded in websites, and even displayed on social media platforms such as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Digital badges are more than just an image.

Badges contain metadata that provides extra information beyond just a logo; they tell employers, clients, and coworkers what the qualification is and the process that was required to earn it.

A Deeper Look at FITT Digital Badges

FITT digital badges are a new way to display learning accomplishments, skills, and FITT credentials. They are organized into a five tier structure to capture different types of achievements.

The first two tiers are relegated to achievements in education. You can earn a badge for successful completion of a FITTskills course assessment, or the equivalency thereof and/or successful completion of a FITTskills workshop assessment, or the equivalency thereof.

Both badges indicate that an individual has successfully completed the necessary requirements for a course or workshop covering different aspects of international trade.

Many international trade professionals will acquire a number of these course/workshop badges as they progress through their professional development journey.

The next two badge tiers are awarded to individuals who have successfully met the requirements to obtain the FITT Certificate or Diploma. The FITT Diploma in International Trade and the FITT Certificate in International Trade are both indicators that an individual has dedicated much of their time to improving their skills and knowledge to be a more effective professional in the international market.

The final badge tier is the CITP®|FIBP® designation badge. It is awarded to individuals who have met the knowledge and skill requirements of the designation, but it goes further than that too.

In order to earn this digital badge, and the designation it represents, individuals need to demonstrate “a commitment to global trade” and a “dedication to ethical business practices and ongoing professional development” in addition to their expertise in international trade processes.

This badge is therefore the best judge of a person’s character and investment in their career and will therefore be the most valuable to employers when it comes to hiring.

Get answers to all your questions about FITT Digital Badges here.

How do Digital Badges Help Hiring Managers?

Skills based hiring is the way of the future, and digital badges make this process a lot easier by helping recruiters identify ideal candidates.

No company wants to onboard a new employee only to find out later that the individual does not have the necessary skills to perform the job successfully.

Hiring an individual proven to have those skills, verified through to digital badges, will make the entire recruitment and onboarding process much smoother, saving the company a significant amount of money.

Skills based hiring also eliminates bias and ensures a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Starting your search for candidates by looking for badges related to the skills needed for the job can reduce the hours needed for recruitment. Sorting through resumes, performing background checks, assessing other requirements, and verifying qualifications takes a lot of man hours.

Digital badges provide all of this information right away on a verifiable, trustworthy platform. Unlike paper credentials that are difficult to verify, the hiring team will be able to look at a resume and know whether the candidate actually has the skills and knowledge they claim to possess.

When it comes to ensuring a candidate meets the requirements of a position, this verification is essential.

How Do Candidates with Digital Badges Benefit the Company That Hires Them?

Since digital badges exist for education, skills, and favorable personality traits like leadership, a business will know that the individual they hire will be a positive and productive member of their team. Plus, these individuals may encourage their coworkers to earn badges as well, further improving the overall value of the team to the company.

Employees who have earned and shared their digital badges are also great for marketing, especially if the company offers its employees opportunities to earn badges internally.

Potential clients and applicants for other job openings will be able to see that the business is staffed by qualified and knowledgeable individuals, making the business a great choice to hire or to work for.

One other thing that is important to keep in mind is that employees with digital badges make it easier for the business to meet compliance standards and ensure every qualification is up to date.

For example, some job sites require at least one member of each shift to be first aid certified. If those individuals have digital badges for the first aid certification, it is very easy to check the expiration date and ensure scheduling is done correctly.

The post How Digital Badges Can Help Businesses Hire the Right Professionals to Fill Their Teams appeared first on Trade Ready.

The year 2020 started on a tumultuous note, to say the least! But that does not stop us from celebrating our latest achievers. Their success assumes an even greater significance against the backdrop of these challenging times. Therefore, they deserve a huge applause, and this is our way of celebrating their efforts and talent!

The motivating factor

For many, the journey into international trade begins with the self-realization that they absolutely enjoy interacting with people from diverse cultures across the world. As they gather valuable experience in their respective fields, taking their career trajectory to new heights, most professionals increasingly feel the need to formalize their knowledge and fill in any gaps by acquiring holistic training in the many aspects of international business.

For others, FITT certification adds credibility to their skills and expertise, forming the perfect foundation on which to build a successful and fulfilling career. Whether opting for in-class training or the self-paced FITTskills online training, the comprehensive business education equips them with the confidence and credibility they need to broaden their professional horizons.

Impacts of achieving international business credentials

As our achievers accomplish the goal they had set for themselves, it’s more than just a milestone or an extra qualification on their resume. The FITT credentials become testimony to their knowledge, skills and commitment to their craft, opening doors to greater possibilities in the form of job openings and promotions, networking opportunities, valuable mentorships and even new business contracts.

As we cross the half-way mark for 2020, let’s highlight the latest credential holders. We’re proud and delighted to have been a part of their journey and are eager to celebrate their success!

The Jan to Jun 2020 CITPs represent 43 different companies, working in an array of roles including:

Executives including founders, CEOs, directors, managers

Business Advisors including trade commissioners, economic development specialists, policy analysts, professors, consultants

Marketing, sales and advertising professionals including marketing associates, marketing coordinators, sales executives and sales representative

Global Value Chain professionals including logistics specialists, product specialists, customs analysts, freight coordinators, procurement administrator

Vital international business team members including import export coordinators, accounting technician, export specialists, vessel operator.

The extensive gamut of organizations our new CITPs come from include:

Government and Regional: Global Affairs Canada, Export Development Canada (EDC), Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Town of Halton Hills, Canadian Food Exporters Association, Trade Commission of Peru, ED&F MAN Egypt

Financial institutions: Banque Nationale du Canada

Big Corporations: Tecvalco Ltd, Lxr Canada Inc, Kuehne + Nagel Ltd, ETG Commodities, Honeywell International Incorporated, Liferaft Inc, Montebello Packaging, River Select Fisheries Cooperative – Okanagan Nation Alliance, Summit Tools, Barez Industrial Group, BGL Brokerage Limited, Soprema Canada, Livingston International, Agrocorp Processing Ltd., Grow Trade Consulting Inc., Natural Trade Ltd., Yamo import-export Afrique Amérique monde Inc., New Pacific Metals Corp., Asia Investment and Services Group Limited, Manitoulin Global Forwarding, Mckenna Distribution, FedEx, Pepsico, Flexport, 48e Nord International, Canpotex Limited, Misty Mountain Trade & Consulting

Startups and small businesses doing big things: T By Daniel Inc, Brand New Trading Inc., Bluecrown International Strategies,

The role of FITT’s educational partners in ensuring that their educators continue to maintain the highest standards of professional competence is no less commendable. The last six months saw our partner institutions Algonquin College and George Brown College adding new CITPs to their teaching staff.

Daniel Lewis applied for the CITP designation to help equip him for the future as a small business owner and entrepreneur.

The CITP designation will be a very respectable addition to my business achievements when being considered for future opportunities. I think there are so many opportunities and networks that I can tap into because of this designation.

Developing a wholesome understanding of International trade  

In the first half of 2020, 131 individuals went on to complete the requisites to earn the FITT Diploma in International Trade. Candidates aspiring to earn a diploma must demonstrate knowledge in each of the broad categories that international trade comprises of – ranging from analyzing business readiness, finance, supply chain management and market entry to product development, sales and marketing. This familiarizes them with the various aspects of global trade and how the different processes need to work in sync in order to culminate in a successful business transaction.

Earning the FITT Diploma is an essential criterion to apply for the CITP designation and we are confident that many of our current diploma holders will go on to apply for and achieve the CITP stamp of excellence.

Those earning diplomas between January and June 2020 represent a plethora of roles across 21 companies of varying sizes. Besides those listed in the CITP category, our new diploma holders are integral members of teams from reputed organizations like Boréal Trading Company, ETG Commodities Inc, Diva International Inc., Cabot Community Business Development Corporation, and Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation du Québec.

Getting an opportunity to work in both the public and private sectors has proved educational and fulfilling for Laura and has paved the way to her future success.

The FITTskills courses provided the base and foundation for my career. Completing the courses gave me and my future employers the confidence that I had the know-how and dedication that a career in international trade entailed.

Taking the first step to upgrading knowledge and skillset

Most professionals understand the importance of complementing their professional expertise with a solid and holistic know-how that is industry backed. Some embark on this path to upgrade their knowledge on a specific skillset and others consider the FITT certificate a first step towards earning the FITT Diploma, and ultimately the CITP designation.

Whatever their aim, we are proud to award the FITT Certificate in International Trade to 133 new recipients who have upskilled their proficiency. The certificate holders represent an array of roles across 29 companies that include: Mellion Synergy, University of Regina – UR International, Deloitte, Tambo Natural Foods Inc., Teck, SUMOL+COMPAL, Chemonics International, CentrePort Canada Inc., Thermtest Inc., WONA INTERNATIONAL TRADING LTD., The Corporation of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent

Hadi applied for and went on to be awarded the CITP in January 2020. He is immensely proud to have earned the elite designation, as it not only adds value to his knowledge and experience but distinguishes him as a an internationally certified trade practitioner.

“I see that the CITP®|FIBP® designation officially validates the level of professional competency of international trade professionals worldwide, which will give my employers, clients and colleagues additional confidence in my skills.

Hadi is confident that the designation will help him connect with entrepreneurs, trade professionals and reputed companies. This will broaden his horizons and open the doors to more possibilities for career growth.

We take this opportunity to heartily congratulate all our new FITT Certificate & Diploma holders and CITP|FIBPs, and wish them a bright and fulfilling future.

The post Success through adversity – celebrating the first 2020 FITT graduates and CITP|FIBPs from 90+ companies appeared first on Trade Ready.

2019 was stacked with global business achievements and personal impact

It’s easy to look at business training and certification as a series of pragmatic steps and achievements to check off a career “to-do” list. But when we ask our FITTskills participants, graduates and CITP|FIBPs why they took the training or applied for the designation, and how they feel about their experiences, we often get deeply personal answers.

It turns out, the learning, challenges and successes are part of a journey that can have an impact beyond a few extra letters on a CV (valuable though they are). For some, attending the in-class training led to valuable networking connections, mentorships and even direct business opportunities.

For others, the certification gave them the confidence and credibility to go after a job they’d been dreaming about for years, or land a contract with a big name client. And some were looking for more specific skills and knowledge to solve a problem or help achieve a business milestone, like taking their company into an international market for the first time. This is a huge step that they can now add to their growing lists of professional achievements.

In 2019, FITT connected hundreds of individuals and organizations with the skills, knowledge, confidence and credibility they needed to move forward with their goals. This is something we take immense pride in, so we couldn’t resist taking the opportunity to celebrate those who earned FITT credentials this past year. Celebrate with us!

A new cohort of experts in dozens of fields

From January to December 2019 we welcomed 86 newly minted Certified International Trade Professionals (CITP|FIBP). Earning the CITP designation is a huge professional accolade that requires meeting rigorous, industry-backed competency standards, professional ethics, and a demonstrated commitment to international trade. The designation helps professionals in all different stages of their career get ready for the global business world, and this year we welcome CITPs in over 40 different roles including:

• Executives including CEOs, COOs, directors, managers and VPs
• Business advisors including financial advisors, export advisors, trade commissioners and consuls, policy advisors, consultants and professors
• Marketing, sales and advertising professionals including marketing associates and directors, sales directors, and an account-based marketing manager
• Global value chain professionals including procurement officers, supply chain managers, customs analysts, international logistics analysts, purchasing and operations managers, and a cross-border agent
• Vital international business team members in roles including imports coordinator, accounts payable officer, business development coordinator, fraud officer, project assistant and plant superintendent

If your organization has a role that touches global commerce, there is a CITP ready to take it on!

Speaking of global organizations taking on CITPs, the newest CITPs come from an impressive array of both public and private sector companies across so many different industries, including:

Government and regional: Global Affairs Canada, Export Development Canada (EDC), Nova Scotia Business Inc (NSBI), Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP), NAV Canada, Polish Investment in Trade Agency

Financial institutions: Royal Bank of Canada, Scotiabank, Wells Fargo

Big corporations: 3M, UPS, Livingston International, C.H. Robinson, Orchard International, Skyfold, ART International, Global Appetite, HRA Group, Thai United Food Trading Ltd.

Startups: MediaSpark, Spoonity, Limesoft Inc.

FITT’s educational partners also work hard to ensure they have the most knowledgeable, qualified individuals to guide their students to success. This year our partner institutions George Brown College, Fanshawe College, St. Clair College, Conestoga College and Brighton College all welcomed new CITPs to their staff.

Peter Gray applied for his CITP designation to formalize and certify his decades of international business experience and expertise.

“Geopolitical shifting is transforming global markets. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Asia/ASEAN regions.

Growth minded companies need new skills and knowledge to expedite market entry and help build profitable, sustainable and scaleable businesses in the fastest growing region on the planet. FITT is emerging as the go to source for knowledge and people. I wanted to be a part of it.

I am absolutely delighted, not only with the designation but being part of an elite network of trade and investment professionals.”

Putting together the building blocks of trade

In 2019, 257 individuals completed the requirements to earn the FITT Diploma in International Trade. In order to earn the diploma, a professional must demonstrate knowledge in each vital category that completes the full picture of international trade processes. These individuals know how all the different aspects of global business work together to complete trade transactions and they are trade ready!

The FITT Diploma makes up the educational component of the CITP requirements and many of this years diploma earners also went on to become CITPs last year.

Those that earned diplomas in 2019 represented over 50 different job titles, most of which are mentioned above, and dozens of companies big and small. On top of those represented in the CITP category (including Global Affairs Canada, EDC, STEP, NSBI, 3M, UPS, the financial institutions and educational partners), we saw professionals from big names like Starbucks and Pepsico, international trade organizations such as Export Quebec, 48e Nord International, Indonesia Export Training Centre, and CINT (Canadian International).

Remote monitoring technology company Rimot, Fisher King Seafoods, Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts, Caron Hawco Group, and logistics companies ERB Transport and Laser Transport also have proud FITT diploma holders on their teams. As do homegrown Nova Box and Cedardog Distribution, who are now well-equipped to take on the challenges that come with international clients.

In her role as trade commissioner, Arbinder Pal has been all over the world and had some amazing experiences. These include a three week “around the world” trip to meet and interview key travel & tourism players in nine countries, flying across the Atlantic in the cockpit and viewing the Northern Lights up-close-and-personal, and participating in the Canadian Aviation delegation to discuss strategies with Indian Government officials. Though she already had such varied and valuable experience in her role, the FITTskills courses were an opportunity to build on that with practical skills.

Taking each FITTskills course was liking adding a building block. It kept adding on to my current skill and knowledge level. The linkages between the topics in different courses helped as an auto-revision.

Filling in knowledge gaps and tackling goals

Three hundred and four individuals said goodbye to gaps in their global business knowledge by completing three or more FITTskills courses and earned the FITT Certificate in International Trade. Whether they set out to learn a specific skillset to tackle a global goal head-on, or they are on their way to earning the FITT Diploma or CITP designation, over 100 companies now have upskilled international business professionals in more than 50 different roles.

Who are these lucky companies? They include:

Opportunities New Brunswick, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, DOT technology Corp (automated farming technology), Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade (Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation), Alcohol Countermeasure Systems, Montebello Packaging, Halifax Partnership, U.S. Department of Commerce, OPHAM, Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC), Halton Region, Pantos Logistics Canada, CBDC, Pro Gestion, Acadian Seaplants Limited, Du Nord Skincare, City Canabis Co, DIAGEO and Diva International.

Maxim Nevzorov has worked with a large variety of economic development organizations, ranging from municipal level agencies representing small rural communities in Canada all the way up to a U.S. Governor’s office and a national trade agency in Europe. Despite having a wealth of experience and expertise, the FITTskills courses offered him a chance to fill in some gaps.

“A political scientist by training, most of what I knew about international business and trade prior to taking FITTskills courses had come through my practical experience. However, as I was getting more and more involved in the field, I couldn’t help but notice certain gaps in my knowledge that needed to be addressed if I wanted to advance my career.”

FITTskills online courses were an excellent opportunity to not only improve my understanding of a variety of topics that I was already familiar with to different extents, but also to gain brand new knowledge, thus broadening my professional horizons.

To all of the new FITT Certificate and Diploma holders and CITP|FIBPs, we congratulate you on your hard work, dedication and ambition. Here’s to a prosperous, global 2020!

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