The latest British Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey, published yesterday, does not make happy reading for a UK export sector the government hopes will help rebalance the economy away from service industries.
Warning that UK manufacturing exports are ‘approaching stagnation’ as international markets languish with domestic ones ‘well below’ pre-recession levels, BCC director general, John Longworth, has stressed the need to ‘fix the fundamentals’, which include skills and access to capital.
As a major player in upskilling and supporting UK exporters the Institute has placed powerful renewed emphasis on these recently; both raising awareness among SMEs of the huge growth potential offered by global exports and equipping them with the expertise needed to achieve these ambitions.
Before Christmas, the IOE called for UK businesses to couple their entrepreneurial attitude and dynamic, flexible workforces with an enhanced skills base to boost productivity and profitability. As the only UK professional body offering formal, recognised qualifications in International Trade, its newly completed selection of career boosting courses start this month – and are more needed than ever to help exporters maximise opportunities in the current depressed landscape.
The aim is to professionalise global export by providing relevant recognised, formal qualifications. With a package covering all areas of international trade, IOE expertise is steeped in best practice and all course content is practical and commercially grounded. Qualifications include:
BSc (Hons) Management Practice – International Trade, Plymouth University – January 2016 and September 2016 enrolments
MSc in International Trade, Strategy and Operations, University of Warwick – January 2016 and October 2016 enrolments
Foundation Degree – Professional Practice in International Trade, Anglia Ruskin University – January 2016 and September 2016 enrolments
• Advanced Certificate in International Trade – rolling entry
• Certificate in International Trade – rolling entry
• Diploma in International Trade – rolling entry
• Diploma in World Customs Compliance and Regulations – rolling entry
IOE Director General, Lesley Batchelor OBE, said: “Our programmes provide a viable, cost effective and flexible opportunity for higher educational study, where a student can start with us at the age of 16 and follow our professional accreditations through to an MSc. They can benefit those already working in international trade, inexperienced learners and students embarking on a business degree.”
The drive is key to the government’s Exporting is Great campaign, which the Institute has supported with practical help and guidance. With this in mind, the IOE also offers a range of consultancy services covering all aspects of international trade at very competitive rates and IOE members can get assistance with any export issues they encounter via its Helpline.
Lesley Batchelor added: “For eighty years, we have been at the forefront of support for British exporters, helping enable and grow the sector to benefit local, regional and national economies. We have worked through tough times – and times are tough again – but we will continue innovating and educating individuals and SMEs alike so that they can capitalise on the fragile recovery and gradually take the UK towards greater economic certainty.”
To find out why students describe IOE courses as ‘relevant’, ‘valuable’ and ‘fulfilling’, visit this page of our website
The IOE as a professional body regulated by Ofqual in the UK offers recognised, formal qualifications in International Trade. As an Awarding Organisation the IOE provides qualifications within the Government Regulated Qualification Framework. The Institute, working in partnership with others, currently provides qualifications from Level 1 through to Level 4 and 5 Foundation Degrees, and Level 6 BScs.
For additional information, or if you have any questions, contact course.enquiries@export.com, call us on +44 (0) 1733 404400 or visit the IOE website for more about our training, qualifications and business membership.