I was very proud to be asked to participate in a steering committee this week in Ottawa. Where we reviewed the results of a pre-assessment from an international trade study & made recommendations of actions for the FITT (Forum for International Trade Training) Board of Directors. These actions will improve Canada’s International Trade Performance (where 2/3 of the Canada’s economy is focused) by improving our human resources for trade, through education and training.
I would like to thank Caroline Tompkins, Bill Neil & the rest of the committee for a great meeting. I look forward to attending the next meeting in March (If they’ll have me).
Some of the challenges that were determined from the study were: 1) Raise awareness of the importance of International Trade to Canada. 2) Align training for positions from complex trade, caused by globalization 3) having support for Canadian firms to become internationally competitiveFITT equips businesses with the skills they need to succeed in today’s global marketplace. By developing international business programs, set competency standards & designs the programs for the Certified International Trade Professional designation. I’m pleased to say FITT supports Trail Blazer annually with 2 interns from the International Business Program at the Nova Scotia Community College. The interns receive a Certified International Trade Professional designation and provide Trail Blazer with resources to grow internationally.
This week was also a week off school for my kids (Travis, Natalie & Victoria). Their traditional March break was moved to February this year because of the Canada Games being held in Halifax. So, instead of leaving my family during the break, I packed them all in a van (including my wife, Dawna) and headed for Ottawa. February is a tricky time of year to drive across Canada so I decided to take it slow. We spent Monday night in Woodstock, NB and enjoyed each others company in a beautiful room at the Best Western. Our next stop was Quebec City were we spent 2 nights in order to enjoy a full day touring the city, rich in heritage and culture (my daughter Natalie loved the shopping). Thursday brought us into Ottawa just in time to attend the meeting on Friday while my family toured Ottawa and experienced their Winterlude festivities.
One member of our family didn’t join us and spent a bonding week with Mama & Papa. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my parents for watching our dog “Rollie” and allowing us to travel through Quebec and Ottawa. I understand my dad “Curtis” and Rollie have become very close. Dad has spent the week bringing Rollie everywhere he goes and my Mom loves the way Rollie comes running to her when she comes home from work “welcome home”
All the Best, Shawn Levangie