OTTAWA, CANADA--(Marketwire - June 3, 2010) - Members of Canada's international trade community came together last night at FITT's 13th National Conference to celebrate the accreditation of 56 newly designated Certified International Trade Professionals (CITP).
These individuals join the prestigious group of over 400 CITPs from across Canada and around the world who are bringing a new level of expertise and accountability to the field of international trade. The CITP designation, known as the FIBP in the US and EU, is the leading credential for professionals working in international trade and is an indication of their advanced knowledge and skill-sets.
"I have been a CITP for the past 2 years. I use the designation on my business card, all of my promotional material, website, and especially on my CV—which is really handy when I bid on international projects," said Diane Girard, President of Global Links Network. "I was recently added to the roster of a foreign management consulting firm. I would not have had the confidence to submit my CV had it not been for the CITP next to my name," she added.
Ms. Josephine Back, CITP and Director of Scotiabank's Ontario International Trade Services noted, "The FITTskills courses [on of the educational paths to obtaining the CITP] helped me to understand what my customers' challenges were and know how to help them to mitigate the risks," adding, "Doing business with companies on the other side of the world is exciting. However, it is prudent that we understand the risks every step of the way. FITT (Forum for International Trade Training) provides us with the knowledge and skills to manage our business successfully."
FITT's highest educational honours, the FITT Educational Awards, were also presented to three students who participated in the FITTskills program—a practical, hands-on series of courses that focus on the fundamentals of international business. The EDC-FITT Internship recipient was also recognized during the event. This internship program, established by EDC, was created in recognition of the importance of international trade to Canada's economic prosperity.
"The commitment of our Strategic Partners—Export Development Canada and Scotiabank—towards these awards helps us to promote quality international trade training," said Caroline Tompkins, President of FITT. "Honed trade competencies benefit the individual, their employer, and ultimately the Canadian economy."
Editors: A complete list of award winners and 2009-2010 CITP recipients is attached.
About FITT:
FITT equips individuals and businesses with the practical skills they need to succeed in today's competitive global marketplace. A non-profit organization established by industry and government, FITT develops international business programs, sets competency standards, and designs the certification and accreditation programs for the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation. Our programs and services address human resource issues by, providing employers with resources to build their international business capacity; assisting individuals in developing their international business skills and knowledge; and providing international business training support for educators and students. Centered on best practices and developed by leading global business experts, FITT's resources are the standard of excellence for trade practitioners. FITT and CITP: strengthening your hand in international trade.
The 2009 FITT Educational Award Winners:
| Carl Cencig, Algonquin College International Business Plan Award Ben Forsyth, World Trade Centre Atlantic Canada International Marketing Plan Award Presented by FITT's strategic partner, Scotiabank |
Rachel Wisdom, Vancouver Career College Student of the Year Award Presented by FITT's strategic partner, Export Development Canada |
2009 – 2010 Certified International Trade Professionals (CITPs):
| Farah Abdou, Algonquin College Leyla Alizada, Ronald A. Chisholm Ltd. Kamran Amoon, Gap Inc. Lynda Arsenault, Nova Scotia Business Inc. Amjad Azar, Fiberlinks Textiles Inc. Tony Baker, Market Access Worldwide Xiuzolli Martha Baltierra-Qureishi Servepal Bansal Lorraine Bond-Wojcicki, Cavendish Farms Craig Campbell, WorleyParsons Scott Courish, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency The Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board of Canada and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway Daniela Diaconu, Certified General Accountants Association of Canada Jennifer Evancio, Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership Silvia Fugel Mia Garland-Keeling, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Rob Gnaedinger, FITT Vivian Hall, Canada Colors and Chemicals Ltd. Susie Hoeller, Hoeller Law Firm Shipon Howlader, World Wide Logistics Inc. Pawel Jamro, TransX Patrick Jones, Kautex Textron Robert Koffler, College LaSalle Tsuhan Isabella Tracy Lee, The Kryton International Inc. Holly Liu, Cogito International Consulting Yuesheng Liu, HealthMegaMall Donna Lund, Cavendish Farms Jane MacIsaac, Innovation PEI |
Kelly Martelo, The Semex Alliance Scott McKay, Co-Auto Co-Operative Inc. Brian Mitchell, Trade Facilitation Office Canada John S. O'Reilly, Toshiba of Canada Ltd. Luis Fernando Osuna, Trendy Foods International Inc. Shane Patelakis, Agriculture Fisheries and Aquaculture Stephen Poloz, Export Development Canada Andres Rayo, Aqua Fitness Pool Celine Redmond, Treibacher Industrie Inc. Allan Rocillo, DB Schenker of Canada Ltd. Sonia Root, West Shefford Food Company Inc. Robert Sands, J.S.Redpath Ltd. Gary Sawchuk, Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology Gordon Scheel, The Regional Municipality of York Pierre Seguin, Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry Fonda Smyth, Nova Scotia Community College Ljubo Stankovic, Tootsie Roll Worldwide Ltd. & Concord Confections Ltd. Heather Stokes, Export Development Canada Jeff Thackeray, Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership Brigitte Thibault, Acier Profilé SBB Inc. Caroline Tompkins, FITT John J. Urban, First Forever Company Ltd. Mariela Urriola, MMM Group International Ltd. Denise Van Wychen, Trade Team Nova Scotia Dale Vencatasamy, Meyers Norris Penny LLP Derrick Walker, Murphys Pharmacies Mustafa Yagci, Ronald A. Chisholm Siamak Zargaran, Group of Goldline Salam Ziadeh |