UTSA International Trade Center to complete training in Jamaica
(March 14, 2013) -- The International Trade Center in the UTSA Institute of Economic Development will complete its four-part Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Counselor and Director Certificate Training in Kingston, Jamaica. The program will help Jamaica establish SBDCs to support business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the country.
SBDCs, established throughout the United States by the federal government in partnership with state governments, universities and colleges, assist entrepreneurs and business owners in establishing and growing their businesses through a free and confidential suite of advising services. Services include, but are not limited to, feasibility studies, business strategy, financial planning, marketing, production and professional networking. The centers support new and existing businesses.
Through the SBDC Counselor and Director Certificate Training, participants have learned about the U.S. SBDC model and methodology. The training covers SBDC business advising best practices, the role of specialty SBDCs (like those focused on international trade), and real-world and practical development of an operational plan to guide future counselors and directors on how to manage an office, personnel and funding. The training is part of the International Trade Center and Institute for Economic Development's International SBDC Expansion Initiative that, with the support of the U.S. Department of State, helps countries develop U.S.-modeled SBDC networks since 2003.
Robert McKinley, UTSA associate vice president for economic development, and Barbara Mooney, International Trade Center international business consultant, will complete UTSA's Counselor and Director Certificate Training. The last module runs March 18-19.
"The whole SBDC certificate program has been thought through in detail. Its presenters are wonderfully clear and everything is supported with documents. Furthermore, it's easy to jump between slides to the other documents. I walk away clear about SBDCs and gaining in confidence that we can have them in our country," said Michael Rosberg, Ph.D., director of the Institute for Social Entrepreneurship and Equity, a subsidiary of the Jamaican Agency for Inner City Renewal (AIR). The AIR operates at the University College of the Caribbean.
The International Trade Center at UTSA is one of the largest and most successful trade assistance organizations in Texas. It helps companies become globally competitive through technical trade consulting, customized market research and innovative training programs. The center is a specialty SBDC program in the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network. Follow the center on Twitter (@TexasTrade) and like it on Facebook (Facebook.com/texastrade).
For more information on the project in Jamaica, visit the SBDC Global website.
Events
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North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.