1. Structure and aim

International Training Consortium – CFI is a non-profit Consortium established in 1998 working in the field of the Developing Cooperation and internationalization realizing Training program in Italy and abroad for managers, executives and technical coming from developing countries and in Transition toward economy market.

Partners of the Consortium are some trade associations (ABI, CONFINDUSTRIA, UIR – Unione Industriali e imprese di Roma) Developing agencies (ICE, SVILUPPO LAZIO, CAMERA DI COMMERCIO di Roma) companies of public services and/or involved in internalization processes (ENEL, FINMECCANICA, FINCANTIERI, ITALCEMENTI, TELECOM ITALIA SPARKLE, EMICOM, POSTE ITALIANE, RAI, ATAC) tertiary sector and training companies (IL CANALE, IRI MANAGEMENT) supporting CFI activities through financial contribution and also giving free support of staff and structures for didactic activities and training programs.

Chairman of the Consortium is the On. Ing. Giancarlo Lombardi. A representative of MAE (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and a representative from the MCI (Ministry of International Trade) ruling as permanent observers during the Board of Director’s meetings.

Around the 50% of CFI activities are sponsored by MAE/DGCS financial contributions, granted by decree to realize programs and projects issued after technical-economical evaluations adequacy made by experts of DGCS (General Direction Developing Cooperation).

Additional activities are financed by partners or third party organizations or acquired by competition.

2. Main Activities

During the years among the main activities realized by the CFI featured:

• The Specialized Training Courses for Technicians and Managerial Personnel: organized every year, they consist in the prosecution and amplification to other sectors of the training activity and subsequent follow-up for foreign technicians from Developing and in Transition Countries realized in Italy by IRI since 1962. Courses have a duration of 10 weeks divided in 3 phases including as mid phase, the realization of working stage in associated companies or third par companies allowing them to acquire a specialization in their own operational field, as well as to establish useful connection with companies in which they get in touch. Each Course is attended by 30 participants coming from 15-20 Countries and divided in 6-8 section of specialization.
• Specialized managerial Courses and Seminars for one Country: Professional Training initiatives on specific themes with variable duration (2-5 weeks). These initiatives are mainly financed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ICE articulated in theory sessions, witnesses and tour studies. Some example are:

1. Cycle of 1 year’s seminars on public economy, Privatization, banking system and project funding, SME, infrastructures management for Algerian executives from different Ministers, public holding and banks;
2. 4-5 weeks of specialized courses on Banking and Finance, on international trade for Chinese technicians;
3. Courses on management, administration and accounting, PMI structure and organization for public servants of the North Chorea Provincial governments.

• Activities in cooperation with Sviluppo Lazio: since 2002 CFI works together with Sviluppo Lazio to realize a training program and technical assistance on internationalization and Territorial Marketing for provincial administrations public servants, and from Chambers of Commerce and trade associations of Latium Region public servants. The program includes the organization of international convention on Territorial Marketing and training activities in Italy for public servants and Lithuanian private companies.
  
• Training for Italian Experts in internationalization: the CFI cooperates with ICE (Italian Institute for Foreign Trade) to realize post-degree courses for graduates on external trade subjects and business Internalization also having a specialization in economy and/or geographic area.
  
• Abroad activities: with the financial support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs /Direction General Cooperation Development, the CFI realized an Informatics Training Program In Bosnia & Herzegovina for professional qualification and work engagement of disable people.

Besides that, the CFI participated to Med Net’U Project, financed by EU, concerning the project to develop and supply through satellite transmission and Internet, University graduates and Technical–professional Training programs for countries belonging to the Mediterranean Area

The commitment of members and companies guarantee to the CFI:

The availability of operational and training business structures integrating the resources within the Consortium to create their own activities regarding managerial training contents and for stage hosting.