Accreditation and Certification system

IATTO has always been committed to the promotion of professional standards in the field of international trade training and education. To this end, the Association operates a system which enables:

• IATTO Members to be formally accredited at an international level provided they meet specified criteria.
• Individual learners to obtain an IATTO qualification provided they have acquired specific competencies in international trade after having participated in a study programme conducted by an organisation which holds the status of IATTO Accredited Provider.

Many countries have their own national accreditation and certification systems which formally recognise those involved in international trade training and/or education, and the high standard of the programmes and qualifications on offer. The IATTO System does not conflict or compete with national systems. Instead, it acknowledges and builds on national accreditation and certification initiatives by introducing additional criteria to ensure that providers and their international trade programmes meet internationally agreed standards

Accreditation

IATTO's Accreditation System is designed to give formal recognition or a ‘quality stamp' to those organisations and individuals that meet internationally agreed standards when delivering international trade training/education programmes and conferring qualifications. There are two forms of accreditation:

1. Accreditation for organisations which gives rise to the award of IATTO Accredited Provider status.
2. Accreditation for individuals which gives rise to the award of IATTO Accredited Trainer status.
3. The status of ‘IATTO Accredited Provider' is awarded to both Institutional and Organisational Members of IATTO that meet prescribed criteria evidencing their high standing in their own countries and the quality of their international trade training and/or educational activities. Eligibility criteria exist* and applications are subject to adjudication. Appointment is conferred by the IATTO Board of Directors. The benefits* to Accredited Providers and their students are many.

The status of ‘IATTO Accredited Trainer' is awarded to Individual Members of IATTO who meet prescribed criteria evidencing their sound business/academic credentials, and their experience and expertise in delivering international trade training and/or education programmes. Typically, applicants might be self-employed or, alternatively, independent consultants contracted to provide a training service for, Institutional or Organisational Members of IATTO. Eligibility criteria and benefits apply*.


Certification and Qualifications

IATTO operates a Certification System in terms of which individuals are eligible to receive an IATTO qualification if they can demonstrate that they have acquired a range of competencies in the international trade field as a result of having undergone training and/or education with an IATTO Accredited Provider. How long the process takes and the training and/or education methods used are not the deciding factors. The main criterion for assessing someone's eligibility for an IATTO qualification is whether or not he/she has acquired the core competencies or abilities which IATTO believes are fundamental to the effective performance of international trade practitioners operating at different levels.

IATTO confers three qualifications:

1. The IATTO Certificate in International Trade Administration (Exports or Imports), a foundation level qualification aimed at export or import assistants.
2. The IATTO Advanced Certificate in International Trade (Marketing or Purchasing), an intermediate level qualification aimed at export marketing or international purchasing staff.
3. The IATTO Diploma in International Trade Management (Exports or Imports), an advanced level qualification aimed at export or import managers or aspiring export or import managers.

IATTO recognises that no two countries, industry sectors or companies are the same when it comes to what is expected of an international trade practitioner. For example, the state of the economy and the general skills level in a country, as well as the relative development of different commercial sectors all influence the way in which international trade- related knowledge and skills are acquired and applied.

IATTO's three qualifications therefore incorporate a number of ‘core' or generic competencies which are considered to be the minimum international standard for a particular level of qualification. They also provide for an export and an import specialisation at each of the three levels.

An individual becomes eligible for an IATTO qualification if, after having completed an international trade programme conducted by an IATTO Accredited Provider in his/her country, he/she can demonstrate those core competencies that meet the minimum standards of one of the IATTO qualifications. IATTO qualifications may not be conferred on individuals simply on the basis of their work-based experience - even though this may be substantial. Formalised training and/or education must have taken place. Eligibility criteria for, and benefits from, IATTO qualifications exist*.


IATTO Agents

In the interests of overall efficiency and to accommodate cultural, language and currency differences, the IATTO Board has chosen to delegate much of the administration of the Accreditation and Certification System to specially appointed IATTO Agents* operating in different countries. Agents must be Institutional Members and must also comply with additional criteria. IATTO's Accreditation and Certification Committee, however, remains responsible for the overall management of the System which includes liaising with, and monitoring the work of, the ATTO Agents. The ultimate authority in the Accreditation and Certification System rests with IATTO's Board of Directors which exercises its right to approve or veto the Committee's recommendations.

For further information on IATTO's Accreditation System, please email accreditation@iatto.org