Not every cost identified during SITPRO’s consultation can be reduced by the Government. The initiative on trade education that is highlighted in the Government action plan stems from a repeated comment by trade bodies that better training in international trade would help businesses to help themselves to reduce trade transaction costs.
There are three areas where SITPRO and the Government will be working to ensure that businesses have access to the resources that they require. During the consultation, some businesses suggested that international trade would be easier for them if it was easier to hire skilled staff. Students are more concerned than ever about preparing themselves for employment and international trade and logistics offers great career opportunities. SITPRO will be working with Government departments, Skills for Logistics (a Sector Skills Council) and training providers who are developing accredited National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) at a range of levels. These can then be used to open up career options for the next generation of international trade professionals, whether they are coming straight from school or wish to develop skills for a new career.
However, long courses are not always appropriate to meet immediate business needs. Traders expressed concerns that it was not always easy to identify the correct training for their staff. There are many good short courses available, but it is not always easy for businesses to work out which would be most appropriate for their staff and situation. Therefore, the Government’s action plan and SITPRO’s own objectives include plans to work with commercial training providers to developing clearer guides that will allow businesses to ensure that they are getting the right training.
Finally, no training ever covers every eventuality and sometimes a trader will need on the spot advice. The consultation confirmed that businesses are still confused as to where to go for international trade advice and want clearer signposting and better guidance. SITPRO will use its knowledge and experience to enhance Government efforts to join up its guidance across departments, make best use of the BusinessLink portal and ensure that both online and telephone services are easy to identify and provide the correct information. (In the meantime, this month’s SITPRO Solutions on page 8 suggests some of the advice services businesses might find useful for specific issues.)
Enhancing professional skills across the supply chain will help reduce errors and inefficiencies for everyone. This programme of action should make it easier than ever for people to develop those skills and meet the UK’s future business needs.
Keeping Goods Moving: Other articles in this issue
- A New Approach To Trade Facilitation
- SITPRO Driving New Trade Facilitation Committee
- Joining Things Up
- CEO Perspective
- Editor's Notes
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 70, Autumn 2009
