International Enterprise (IE) Singapore has inaugurated the International Trade Associate Program (ITAP) for Polytechnics to build a sustainable talent pipeline for Singapore’s trade sector.

The program is be supported by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Academy, 17 founding industry players from the trading and finance companies, and four polytechnic institutes (Nanyang

Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, and Temasek Polytechnic). The program will comprise of the Global Trade Certificate (GTC) program conducted by the ICC Academy, with practical experience provided by industry through internships.

GTC will be offered as a certification to polytechnics students, overlaying their existing diploma studies. Leveraging on the GTC developed by the ICC Academy, the students will receive industry-accredited certification which enhances their employability and productivity in trade function roles. The founding industry partners will offer three- to six-month-long internships during or after the program. There will be opportunities for full-time employment with the same companies.

“The ITAP is another extension of IE Singapore’s commitment and support to nurture a specialized and global-ready workforce,” said Gina Lim, Trade Services and Policy Group Director, IE Singapore. “We had created international trading programs with our Singapore universities. Now we are also providing such opportunities for polytechnic students. The program supported by the ICC Academy, four polytechnics and industry partners, provides the trade and finance industries with a pipeline of industry-accredited and professionally-certified talent with practical on-the-job exposure. This is an innovative mix, which will help enhance Singapore’s human capital strength and relevancy for the trade and finance hub.”

The ITAP is the third trade talent program driven by IE Singapore and supported by a public-private-partnership. IE Singapore co-founded the International Trading Institute (ITI) with the Singapore Management University in 2007. To date, 300 students have graduated from the ITI. IE Singapore also partnered the Nanyang Technological University to develop the International Trading Program which began last August.