IoE & International Trade is a professional and educational body in the
I joined the IoE because, as a trainee import/export clerk in a busy shipping office of a major company, I had to. I was told that they would pay for me to take the diploma and that I had better do well because the guy I was working with (Paul) came top in the country in all his exams. Well, I went to the night classes and had an afternoon in a classroom each week and, as a very new starter (only 19) it really helped me understand the world of international trade and started me on a journey I have (and still am) thoroughly enjoying.
I would love to hear your stories on why you joined, even why you left the IoE or what you think about joining now. You don't have to sit an exam to join unless you want to become a graduate, you can join at different levels depending on your experience. 10 years experience or more and you are a full member. If you are interested in becoming a member I would be happy to consider sponsoring you – email: training@strongandherd.co.uk .
Oh yes, how did I do in the exams – I won 3 major prizes and came top in the country (so there Paul!) and for that I got a £100 bonus from the company!
I joined the IOE in 1996, at the insistence of my boss! I studied for the Advanced Certificate and then the Diploma. As there was no evening class available in my area, I worked by home study. I can't compete with Paul and Sandra's achievements, but I did pass five of the seven exams with credit.
ReplyDeleteI value my IOE membership, especially the now very active events in my region (north west). The website and magazine keep me up to date with developments that affect me. I also found my present position from the recruitment pages of the website.
I am a lapsed member of the Institute of Export, I joined 30 years ago when I set up my own export sales company. I became a full member through experience. Working overseas, as I did a lot then, I thought the letters after my name - MIEx - would get me through some doors otherwise shut as it showed I was a PROFESSIONAL person linked to a recognised organisation. It did work, for a while, then the IoE vanished from my landscape, no magazines, no updates, no local events and, if anyone mentioned the letters after my name it wasn't to be impressed but to wonder what it meant. I stopped being a member about 1999 - if there is a regeneration in the prestige of the IoE and actually some ACTIVITY then I will think about joining again.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the Institute of Export, I asked a new colleague about 8 years ago. She had been a member for about 20 year then, again like Lloyd by having practical experience in international trade not by taking an exam. She said that she had joined to stand out from the crowd in her role, as it was then called, shipping manager - she'd be something grander now like International Trade Compliance Executive. And it did work for her. She isn't a member anymore and I've often wondered if the organisation was still around. I'll check it out ... might become a member as long as I don't have to take an exam.
ReplyDeleteI have worked in international trade for over 25 years and always felt that my skills and experience were never recognised, so I decided to study for a formal qualification through the IoE. I completed the ACIT several years ago, gaining several distinctions and prizes along the way. I have recently submitted the final assessments for the DIT and am now awaiting the results.
ReplyDeleteI have just renewed my membership of IoE for the next year but am concerned that the IoE does not appear to be at all active in my local area.
I joined the IoE just over 3 months ago when I set up my own business, Sunny Sky Solutions. Since I work with exporters and will become one myself (or so the business plan says!) I thought this made sense. However, I have been disappointed. The website is cluttered, communication is confusing and the benefits of membership are not clear. My suggestions: improve corporate written communications including social media, improve local networking/training (I am based in NYorks) and clearly sell the benefits of membership. Hopefully in 9 months time I will be happy to renew my membership!
ReplyDeleteI joined the IoE as this is exactly the type of professional body that I need to have links with in order to develop myself and my team and enhance our over all skill set and offering to the business. To be completely honest I have not engaged at a level that I feel is appropriate due to general pressures of work but probably more down to the fact that there does not seem to be a lot of activity going on in East/ Central Scotland. I started working in the shipping department of a City trading company 50 years ago. I was told about the IOE by an acquaintance who was a member. I studied part time and achieved my diploma. I am now an IOE Fellow.
ReplyDeleteThe knowledge and confidence it gave me was recognised by my company and I was transferred to the Export Sales Department. Within months I was sent on a product training course in Germany and then accompanied my MD to Romania, Poland, Hungary and PR China. This was the Cold War era and the middle of the Cultural Revolution. The IOE Diploma got me exemptions to get into university and then into business school to get an MBA. That plus experience got me a Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Brick by brick I built up my knowledge and my career.
In the meantime I was head hunted twice by blue chip companies and have had a great professional career, and seen much of the world. Without the knowledge I got from the IOE education, I could still be running a small shipping office instead of my own trading and training company.
I got so much out of my membership of the IOE that I have spent the last 30-years helping others achieve what I have achieved by helping deliver the IOE education and training programmes. Anyone that says that they do not know what the IOE can do for them clearly has not done their research, or is not sufficiently motivated.
The IOE now have courses that start in the school classroom for 14year olds and take them up to foundation degree level at a fraction of the cost of university fees. You can do an apprenticeship programme, and for those that don't want to take exams, there is the on-line Continuing Professional Development programme which keeps you up to date.
In the NW we have quarterly events that are sponsored by the big names. If you want to get on the mailing list for the next event at Ferranti Technologies, Oldham on 27/9, then email Strong & Herd LLP at info@strongandherd.co.uk
As with any qualification, it is what YOU do with it that matters. A vocational qualification gives you the edge these days when so many are pouring out of universities with only an academic degree.
I started working in the shipping department of a City trading company 50 years ago. I was told about the IOE by an acquaintance who was a member. I studied part time and achieved my diploma. I am now an IOE Fellow.
ReplyDeleteThe knowledge and confidence it gave me was recognised by my company and I was transferred to the Export Sales Department. Within months I was sent on a product training course in Germany and then accompanied my MD to Romania, Poland, Hungary and PR China. This was the Cold War era and the middle of the Cultural Revolution.
The IOE Diploma got me exemptions to get into university and then into business school to get an MBA. That plus experience got me a Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Brick by brick I built up my knowledge and my career.
My comments - part two
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime I was head hunted twice by blue chip companies and have had a great professional career, and seen much of the world. Without the knowledge I got from the IOE education, I could still be running a small shipping office instead of my own trading and training company.
I got so much out of my membership of the IOE that I have spent the last 30-years helping others achieve what I have achieved by helping deliver the IOE education and training programmes. Anyone that says that they do not know what the IOE can do for them clearly has not done their research, or is not sufficiently motivated.
The IOE now have courses that start in the school classroom for 14year olds and take them up to foundation degree level at a fraction of the cost of university fees. You can do an apprenticeship programme, and for those that don't want to take exams, there is the on-line Continuing Professional Development programme which keeps you up to date.
And one more thing ...
ReplyDeleteIn the NW we have quarterly events that are sponsored by the big names. If you want to get on the mailing list for the next event at Ferranti Technologies, Oldham on 27/9, then email Strong & Herd LLP at info@strongandherd.co.uk
As with any qualification, it is what YOU do with it that matters. A vocational qualification gives you the edge these days when so many are pouring out of universities with only an academic degree.
I joined IoE over 12 years ago as I had just joined a Chamber of Commerce as an ITA and the Chamber thought this would add some kudos and show the companies we visit that we were serios, profession and experienced hands on pepple.
ReplyDeleteI recently retired and have taken up retired members status as I would like to continue in my role as an export related topics trainer and IoE membership indicates to the deligates that I have some hansd-on experiences rather than just "having read the book"
Jim Robinson - 168523
I joined the IoE quite recently last March 2010 simply as a means to get in to the world of International Trade. Having a background in business start up and International business, I signed up to complete the IoE's Certified International Trade Advisor (CITA) qualification with the hope that it would lead to a job as an International Trade Advisor. With the qualification and relevant experience with UKTI NW under my belt, Strong & Herd took me on as just that 12 months later, so all has worked out great for me! I receive regular updates and correspondence from the CITA coordinator, and have never been disappointed with the IoE magazine - which incidentally is what led me to contacting Strong & Herd. The NW IoE puts together some exceptional events incorporating topical International Trade issues, proving to be really useful for NW companies.
ReplyDelete