Communiqué

June 10, 2009 – Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has approved the opportunity for 25 employees of the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) to register for an online training pilot project, to obtain the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation through FITT and eConcordia. This pilot project, for Trade Commissioner Service employees in posts and regional offices, aims to enable participants to take part in a certification program that reflects their roles and responsibilities in serving Canadian companies engaged in international business.

This pilot represents activities that will take place in the first year of a five-year program within the Department and could ultimately see 50 Trade Commissioners earning their CITP designation. The Department is offering this online training pilot project to further enhance the learning opportunities at posts and regional offices as it implements the Integrative Trade Model across the organization.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada is one of FITT’s founding partners. The opportunity to engage with the Trade Commissioner Service in the provision of training that will enhance the skills and knowledge of TCS staff, while increasing the global competitiveness of Canadian companies, represents a significant addition to the partnership between FITT and the Department.

The CITP program focuses on best practices in international trade. It offers practical knowledge and skills that trade practitioners can apply immediately. This gives them a competitive edge and raises their professional credibility with clients of the Trade Commissioner Service. eConcordia will be the online provider for this training in both official languages.

For more information on how your organization can benefit from FITT specialized training in global business, please contact Scott Ferris, Director of Business Development at scott@fitt.ca or 613.230.3553 / 800.561.3488.