Foreign trade specialist: further education, training, schools, information and tips

The Foreign Trade Specialist training provides solid business and economic knowledge and in-depth knowledge in all areas of international trade. Graduates of the professional examination have the necessary skills and professional competence to carry out international order processing and to assess risks and opportunities in global trade.

The following contents are taught in the Foreign Trade Specialist with Federal Certificate (formerly Export Specialist / Import Specialist (BP)) course:

• Finance and accounting
• Organization and management
• Marketing
• Risk management
• Contracting
• Legal framework
• Foreign trade
• Business processes
• Cash flow and payment security
• Trade in goods and services

The following is tested at the professional examination following the further training as a foreign trade specialist:

• Fundamentals and practical situations in foreign trade (written, 210 minutes)
  Knowledge questions and realistic practical situations (mini-cases) from the operational environment of foreign trade relating to the skills learned
• Integrated case study (written, 210 minutes)
  Develop, analyze and optimize action strategies (business procedures/business processes) as well as management and work tools for typical activities in the foreign trade sector and business administration
• Presentation and expert discussion on foreign trade (oral, 60 minutes)
  Expert discussion with at least two experts on various questions about the skills learned

After passing the Foreign Trade Specialist examination, holders of the certificate have the opportunity to take the Advanced Federal Diploma in Export Management.

The Foreign Trade Specialist further training course is suitable for people who work in international order processing, international trade, import or export, want to deepen their specialist knowledge and are aiming for a federally recognized qualification at the professional examination level.

The following activities are usually carried out after training as a foreign trade specialist:

• Analysis of customer requirements in all areas of international business
• Conducting negotiations with customers and suppliers while taking cultural differences into account
• Efficient, timely and professional processing of international orders
• Planning and organization of worldwide freight transports with all modes of transport
• Preparation and execution of customs clearance with all necessary documents
• assess, mitigate and manage the risks of international order processing
• Identify and realize opportunities for cost savings

Anyone with the following qualifications will be admitted to the Foreign Trade Specialist with Federal Certificate examination:

• holds a federal certificate of proficiency, a diploma from a federally recognized commercial college, a baccalaureate certificate (all types) or an equivalent qualification

and

• have three years of professional experience in foreign trade (deadline is at the time of exam registration, 6 months before the start of the federal exams)

The EPAH-EFCE decides on the equivalence of foreign diplomas and certificates.

The job description with the skills acquired on a foreign trade specialist course is as follows:

• have comprehensive expertise in the field of operational order processing in foreign trade
• increase efficiency in international business
• Realization of cost savings
• Make an active contribution to the company's risk management
• Ensuring on-time and contract-compliant delivery of goods and services for export and crosstrade abroad
• Support purchasers with imports and monitor procurement orders