ITOPS Training

INTERNATIONAL TRADE PROCEDURES AND QUALIFICATIONS (I.T.O.P.S)

• Are you or your staff struggling with export documentation procedures?
• Are your letters of credit consistently rejected?
• Does FAK, ICC500, pro-rata and ad-valorem confound and confuse you?
• Is your cash flow poor?
• Is export a real burden to you?

If you answer yes to any of the above sample questions then ITOPS could very well be for you or your export shipping staff.

The ITOPS course has been established to train export administrators to attain a JETS (joint export training standards) accredited qualification which is both practical and focused within a short time span.  The course is highly informative and has been utilised by a multiplicity of UK blue chip export companies and is registered by the UK Institute of Export as a qualifying module towards their qualification.

CONTENT
The programme covers tuition in the five main elements of operations in International Trade (including both import and export).

• Administration
• Preparation of documentation
• Arranging despatch/delivery of goods
• Finance
• Customs' and legal procedures

ITOPS BENEFITS

• ITOPS is a practical "no holds barred" export administration procedures course which can be tailored to specific company requirements
• Expertise is developed very quickly based on intensive training given in current international trade regulations and requirements, along with practical field trips
• Ongoing backup support is provided by course tutors, the Chamber of Commerce and Alliance Shipping Group (see below).
• Allied to classes, practical hands on ships and airport visits are conducted, moving candidates on from the theoretical module to practical first hand experience in the physical movement of sea and airfreight cargos from key UK ports and airports.
• Savings are made both in terms of a substantial reduction in errors made in export documentation, improving payment times on letters of credit presentation and increasing overall staff confidence in the ever-changing export sphere.
• The ITOPS qualification is JETS accredited and will also count as a credit towards the Institute of Export certificate in international trade.

The commitment in terms of time for this overall course is relatively short being approximately eleven weeks from the first workshop to final course assessment and accreditation.  There is  minimum disruption to exporters staffing arrangements with four workshops held fortnightly and on-line assistance during and beyond this period from Alliance Shipping Group.  Delegates who have already sent staff on this course have commended us by remarking upon how much smoother export procedures had become since their delegates had gained this qualification.  This has led to more positive cash flow and a substantial improvement in delivery times to consignees/end users at the point of destination. "Efficiency" and "job satisfaction" are terms that are regularly used by the many satisfied delegates attending these courses.

For the next available course and to view the full details of the course click here.

EVIDENCE PROVISION
The ways of providing evidence are in the format of a "workbook" and include:

• Completed documents
• Correspondence (handling complaints, orders etc)
• Practical (e.g. what would you do if) questionnaires
• Simulations (e.g. docs to Derbyshire Chamber & Business Link for certification)
• A project for each section (e.g. establishing a set of service standards for carriers)

There will be a formal final assessment within a defined period after the tuition completion.  Derbyshire Chamber & Business Link will carry out the final assessment.

TARGET CANDIDATES
Anyone involved in either export/import operations within manufacturing companies or the freight forwarding industry.

TIMESCALE
The next course begins on 21st April 2005.

The "formal tuition" and award overview takes four days, with workshops taking place fortnightly (on average).

The assessment will take about two - two and a half hours for each candidate and will take place at the Derbyshire Chamber & Business Link approximately one month after the last workshop.  Successful candidates will be presented with their certificates approximately one month later.

An optional Ships and Aircraft visit will be organised to take place during the timescale of the course. (Extra charge will apply for transportation).

ACCREDITATION
The course is JETS accredited (Joint Export Training Standards - awarded by BCC) and is delivered by a JETS accredited trainer.

COSTINGS
The price for the course is £900 +VAT for Derbyshire Chamber members and £1100 +VAT for non-members.

The price for the course includes training provision for four days, course folder with printed notes and back up CD, full trainer support during the course of the programme, trainer assessment, portfolio assessment and certification.

The Alliance Shipping Group provides extensive support to delegates in order to help them achieve ITOPS qualification. Sponsorship includes prizes for the best student on each course, plus the best overall student at the end of the year.

Funding may be available to subsidise the cost of the course - please telephone Julie Whiting on 01246-207207 for more details.