Students in Singapore will be able to gain an understanding of letters of credit (L/Cs) alongside a working knowledge of other financial instruments and practices in international trade and finance in a new multi-partnership initiative.

It is backed by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and International Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore), which have launched a partnership between business, government, and higher-education institutions to support skills development in international trade and financing.

Professional certification

The International Trade Associate Programme (ITAP) provides students at four Singaporean polytechnics an opportunity to gain industry-accredited professional certification.

The programme has been developed to help meet the growing need of companies and banks for skilled employees in international trade-related roles.

Career development

Participants in the programme will also receive tailored career development opportunities through internships and outreach activities such as career talks and roadshows.

Students will take courses under the ICC Academy's newly-launched Global Trade Certificate, which provides a comprehensive understanding of trade finance products - from L/Cs through to supply chain financing techniques.

Corporate backers

The programme is specifically designed to build the required skills of the workforce through relevant and practical business education.

ITAP is also supported by 17 companies from the trading and financial industries, including Bunge, Charles & Keith, Chinese National Offshore Oil Company, IKEA, DBS, Dole, INTL FC Stone, Kaybee, Lobb Heng, OCBC, Raduga, Sing Lun, Sportmaster, Texline and Valency, and Wilmar.

This article represents the views of the author and not necessarily those of the ICC or any of the other partners in DC-PRO.