The Institute of Export (IOE) is continuing to support the UK’s buoyant service sector – which represents 80% of UK exports – by launching a unique professional award in how to sell Services, Skills and Software Overseas.

The strength of the country’s service sector resulted in the UK’s trade gap widening by just £300m last year and is regarded as a key factor in an export-led economic recovery.

Benefitting wide-ranging companies and a variety of students, the course has been designed for those working or intending to work in ‘pure’ service industries – such as finance, legal, software and tourism.

Also covered in the programme is a recognition of the growing ‘manu-services’ sector, in which manufacturers combine their goods with services to competitively satisfy their customers’ needs. The course enables students to adapt their learning to these industries.

Using case studies that show how such diverse organisations as the English Football League and M&S internationalise their offers, the course takes students from the general principles of providing services to adapting those skills and practices to successfully develop a global business. Whatever their starting point, it is designed to stimulate ideas and bring solutions to the everyday issues businesses face when selling overseas.

Structured to fit around a full-time career and delivered through the IOE’s online campus with full tutor support, the programme has approximately 68 hours of study, which would normally be completed within a three-month study period. Content spans the service offer, service and customers, global business in services, planning for overseas business, international services marketing strategy – and delivering your service.

Selling Services, Skills and Software Overseas can be taken as both as an Award level qualification or as an elective in the IOE’s Advanced Certificate in International Trade.

IOE Director General, Lesley Batchelor OBE, said: “As the only UK professional body that offers formal, recognised qualifications in International Trade, this is the latest in our suite of qualifications to embed professionalism in international trade.

“It’s thanks to the service sector that the UK’s total trade gap widened by just £300m last year and our new Selling Services, Skills and Software Overseas award continues our programme to take export education into the 21^st century via digital platforms.”

For further details on the course programme and enrolment, visit the Institute’s website www.export.org.uk/professional-qualifications or contact [email protected]