For Immediate release        
May 14, 2009

Ottawa, ON – Export Development Canada (EDC) and FITT are pleased to announce that Heather Stokes, a graduate of the international business program at Georgian College, has been selected as the first-ever EDC-FITT intern.

“I am thrilled about being selected for the internship at Export Development Canada and the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience," said Ms. Stokes.

"Upon graduating from Georgian College’s Post-Graduate program in International Business Management, I was even more certain this is a career path I want to pursue.”

EDC created the EDC-FITT Internship Program in recognition of the importance of international trade to Canada’s economic prosperity.

“Canada’s prosperity depends on trade and helping to prepare Canada’s next generation of international trade professionals is the goal of EDC’s Education and Youth Employment Strategy,” said Stephen Poloz, EDC’s Senior Vice-President, Financial Products Group. “Heather’s experience at EDC will complement what she has gained from FITT and help her to advance her international business career.”

The EDC-FITT internship was established in 2009 and provides a 12-month employment opportunity on an annual basis worth approximately $35,000. The internship is awarded to a current full-time student enrolled in a FITTskills program at a recognized FITT educational partner institution.

Under the program, Heather will get exposure to the challenges of Canadian entrepreneurs while working on EDC’s Small Business Development team. The internship, which begins this summer at EDC’s head office, will include mentoring from leading industry experts.

The chosen candidate will gain the one-year work experience required to become a CITP – Certified International Trade Professional.

The CITP  is the only professional trade designation of its kind, and is earned by meeting standards and requirements set by FITT - Canada’s international trade training and professional certification authority.

“FITT is truly grateful for EDC’s creation of this internship which provides a solid foundation for students to launch their international business career,” says Caroline Tompkins, President of FITT

“FITT is partnered with more than 65 educational institutions across Canada where students gain knowledge and practical skills they can apply immediately – providing competitive advantage and elevating their position in world markets,” added Ms. Tompkins.

EDC is dedicated to helping students – the next generation of business leaders – to succeed. Through EDC’s Education and Youth Employment (EYE) Strategy, the organization contributes to building international trade capacity by assisting educational institutions and other stakeholders to prepare Canadian students for careers in international trade.

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About EDC:

EDC is Canada’s export credit agency, offering innovative commercial solutions to help Canadian exporters and investors expand their international business. EDC’s knowledge and partnerships are used by more than 8,300 Canadian companies and their global customers in up to 200 markets worldwide each year. EDC is financially self-sustaining, a recognized leader in financial reporting and economic analysis, and has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for eight consecutive years.

About FITT:

FITT (Forum for International Trade Training) equips individuals and businesses with the practical skills they need to succeed in today’s competitive global marketplace.  An international trade training and professional certification body – and the leading membership based organization of its kind in the world – FITT sets the standards and designs the training programs for the professional designation, Certified International Trade Professional (CITP). Centered on international trade best practices and delivered by a broad network of educational partners, FITT’s quality training programs impart knowledge and practical skills that trade practitioners can apply immediately – providing competitive advantage and elevating their position in world markets. FITT and CITP: strengthening your hand in international trade.

For more information:

Phil Taylor   
Export Development Canada 
Tel: (613) 598-2904  
Blackberry: ptaylor@edc.ca 

Mariana Arapov  
Manager, Education and Certification
FITT
300 – 116 Lisgar St., Ottawa, ON K2P 0C2
+1.613.230.3553 x 104
mariana@fitt.ca