Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB)

1. Field of work and areas of responsibility 

Certified export/import specialists work in all areas of the economy which deal with foreign trade, particularly in trading companies and in industrial and service companies. They work in the export/import or procurement/sales departments of companies or in other specialist, foreign trade-related departments and may hold senior positions. Furthermore they work in foreign branches of companies or as self-employed export/import traders. Working at the middle-management level, they are qualified to implement all technical and management tasks in the planning, preparation and handling of foreign trade transactions independently and responsibly, also in a foreign language, including in particular
- Preparing and handling import/export and transit trade transactions and preparing relevant contracts
- Drawing up proposals and decision-making aids for corporate policy in the field of foreign trade activities
- Preparing cooperation with export/import trading companies, setting up marketing and import organizations at home and abroad
- Planning and conducting export marketing activities
- Performing managerial tasks.

2. Occupational skills 

Certified export/import specialists command knowledge, skills and experience which they have as a rule acquired through relevant vocational training and practical work. In order to perform the above-mentioned tasks, they command skills in the following areas:
a. Import/export transactions
b. International marketing
c. Business enterprises and foreign trade
d. Quality management and organization
e. Intercultural communication
f. Foreign trade law
g. Business management, economics and foreign trade.

3. Skills accreditation 

According to the Federal Government regulation of 19 July 2005 (Federal Law Gazette BGBl part I, p. 2191) the certified export/import specialist must have demonstrated the skills listed in section 2 above in an examination administered under public law. A certificate is awarded on passing the examination.

4. Examination requirements 

Before sitting the examination, all candidates must have successfully completed vocational training in a recognized commercial or administrative occupation requiring three years' training followed by at least one year of work experience, or they must have completed vocational training in a recognized commercial or administrative occupation requiring two years' training followed by at least two years of work experience, or provide evidence of at least five years of work experience. Their work experience must be related to the main tasks in foreign trade. Courses are offered to prepare candidates for the examination; their duration depends on the various functional and managerial tasks.

Last modified on: May 30, 2006