Graduates of international trade qualifications have been told that their skills and experience “have never been more needed” as the role of international trade has “a higher profile than ever”.
Marco Forgione, director general of the Institute
of Export & International Trade, this afternoon made the opening address to more than 160 graduates, prize winners and their families at the Institute’s 2019-2021 graduation ceremony.
Ceremony live stream
The event is being held at London’s prestigious Mansion House, celebrating 1500 learners across two years, after the 2020 ceremony had to be cancelled due to Covid. A live stream is available to view here.
The programme for the event, listing all graduates and prize winners, is available to download here.
Forgione opened the ceremony, at which IOE&IT president Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint and chairman Terry Scuoler CBE were also due to speak as the Daily Update went to press.
‘Spark to light career’
“Today is a celebration and recognition of your dedication, effort and sacrifice over the past couple of years," Forgione said. "But let’s not just look back, we should also look to the future. Your qualification is the spark to light the
next stage of your career.”
Forgione celebrated the resilience of the Classes of 2020 and 2021, for having overcome the challenges of Brexit, lockdown and now, supply chain issues. “It has taken great fortitude to deal with the personal
and professional challenges each one of you has faced in achieving your qualification. I am in awe of your achievements,” he said.
Institute growth
Forgione talked about how, as the UK’s trade horizons have been transformed, so too has the IOE&IT “from a team of 15 to a team of 120, building an organisation with over 2,500 years of expertise and experience in international trade.
“Our
membership has doubled to 5,000. And we have invested in our members and wider community with extra support and new initiatives such as our members’ [technical trade] helpline.”
In recent months the Institute has been awarded “some of
the most important initiatives in international trade,” including providing support for the UK’s new Exporter Support Service, launched by the Department for International Trade last week.
The ceremony ends at 7pm, with a reception
to follow.