What are the disadvantages of training as a foreign trade specialist with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education?

A foreign trade specialist with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education is able to carry out administrative work in connection with the export and import of goods and services. He prepares accompanying documents such as insurance and transportation contracts or customs forms and negotiates contracts, discounts and deadlines with customers. He also takes all necessary precautions to minimize financial risks with new or uncertain customers.

The main disadvantages of training to become a Foreign Trade Specialist with Federal Diploma of Higher Education are:

1. As training to become a foreign trade specialist with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education usually takes place over two to three semesters alongside work, it is very time-consuming and requires good time management.
2. Anyone who wants to work in foreign trade needs not only specialist knowledge and negotiating skills, but also service awareness, communication skills and networked thinking and action. Not all of these skills can be acquired during training.
3. The Federal PET Diploma is not recognized abroad. Anyone wishing to work abroad must therefore request official proof of this professional qualification from the State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation SERI in order to prove their eligibility.
4. The examination pressure at the annual federal final examinations is high, but is taken into account during the training to become a foreign trade specialist with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education. However, there are preliminary mock examinations and learning checks.
5. Even after the federal certificate, learning does not usually end: in larger companies, the work is usually divided into thematic areas. The foreign trade specialist with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education is then only responsible for these areas of business and should undergo targeted further training in these areas.

Foreign trade specialists work in internationally active companies, for example in industrial or consumer goods companies, banks, insurance companies or freight forwarders. Within companies, they take on management tasks and work together with specialists from banks or insurance companies, with employees from authorities and customs as well as with contact persons abroad. In some companies, the activities of foreign trade specialists also include business trips abroad.

Provider of training as a Foreign Trade Specialist with Federal Diploma of Higher Education