In 2011, the Hanlon Centre for International Business Studies sponsored four undergraduate students and three Hanlon Scholars in International Business to attend the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) conference in Ottawa.

“The Hanlon Centre was looking at building a partnership with FITT to offer classes to students,” says recent physiology graduate Kasie Kelln. “We went to learn more about FITT and to talk with people to see how we could best set that up.”

Edwards School graduate Megan Doepker explains that the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation would either be connected to existing classes and part of the curriculum, or consist of additional coursework. “FITT also has Going Global workshops, which are shorter programs,” says Doepker. “They’re weekend workshops that the Hanlon Centre might implement here as well.”

“It was interesting to see how practical the CITP designation is within a number of professions, and to discover just how many industries are looking for students with experience in trade,” says marketing major Jacqueline Cook. “As a young student entering the job market and looking to differentiate myself from my graduating colleagues, the FITT curriculum would set me apart in a way that also allows me to follow my interest in international trade.”

The annual conference draws 150–200 delegates, the majority being small and medium sized enterprises involved in global business. “One of the significant attractions with FITT’s events is to be able to bring students together with the business community,” says FITT Director of Business Development Scott Ferris. “All the research indicates that business still has challenges finding skilled and knowledgeable international trade employees so there is a clear role for FITT to connect business with students to close this skills gap.”

Ferris adds that the U of S students were well-prepared for the conference and represented the university well. “The Hanlon Centre students were so confident and so eager to participate in all activities. This was a clear indication of the professionalism of the program they are engaged in and is a real credit to the University of Saskatchewan,” he says.