As a nation Wales exports billions of pounds worth of goods internationally each year. Trade has been more volatile than usual recently due to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit changes, but many businesses continue to export their products globally to key markets including the European Union, North America, and Asia and Oceania.

To support both businesses that currently export and those who are planning to do so in the future, the Welsh Government has launched the Flexible Skills Programme. Designed to provide funding support to Wales-based businesses wishing to develop and improve their export knowledge and capabilities, the programme approves applications in the areas of finance, sales and marketing, customs processes and procedures, export processes, market awareness and specialist support.

The scheme is able to support up to 50% of the training which must be accredited or to an industry standard. The funding, of up to £25,000, will be paid retrospectively on completion of the training.

Chambers Wales offers resources to help businesses close skills gaps and develop their knowledge through practical training courses, providing the tools that businesses need to export correctly.

Businesses can benefit from funding from the Flexible Skills Programme if they participate in the Chamber’s recently announced Autumn series of international trade training events.

Accredited by the British Chamber of Commerce, the courses include many relevant to exporting including Export Documentation, Preferences Rules of Origin, Incoterms, Classification of Goods and Understanding Exporting.

In addition to the accredited training courses which can form a Foundation Award in International Trade, an HMRC aligned, industry recognised qualification, are a series of new region-specific training courses. Covering the EU, USA, Turkey, UAE, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, the sessions will give participants an in-depth knowledge into the region including routes to market, customs procedures, documentation and more.

Businesses who require international trade training specific to their team’s needs are not left out either. Chambers Wales offers bespoke in-house training to businesses, tailoring the course content to meet the unique skills, interest and development requirements of the business. Further details about this offer can be obtained by contacting international@chamberswales.com

For further information about the Flexible Skills Programme and to obtain an application form, email DFESRM@gov.wales

To upskill and improve your exporting knowledge, visit https://cw-seswm.com/training/ to view our training courses.