Santa Maria, CA - El Camino College Center for International Trade Development (CITD) was awarded a two-year $400,000 Industry-Driven Regional Collaborative (IDRC) grant for the aerospace Export Training and Enabler Program (ETEP). The California Space Authority (CSA) is one of three key partners in the forward implementation of this program, along with the California Manufacturing Technology Consulting, and the U.S. Commercial Service. The program's 7-step ETEP is designed to bring small to medium-sized (SME) California aerospace manufacturers that are not yet exporting or not exporting to their full potential to the point where they are effectively represented in their most promising markets.
The IDRC grant is provided by the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office to fund community colleges for flexible, short-term "design it yourself" local projects. The proposal by the Torrance, California based CITD was ranked 7th out of 50 statewide applicants with 26 funded applicants and only two in the "International Trade" category. ETEP will provide candidates with an on-site assessment, export readiness assessment, export training, market research, export plan development, promotional assistance, and customized matchmaking assistance. The California Space Authority is prepared to provide marketing, recruitment, and matchmaking support, in addition to its role on the advisory group.
"California Space Authority recognizes the importance of the international marketplace to California's economy." Stated CSA Executive Director Andrea Seastrand. "We look forward to working with El Camino College and ETEP to help California-based aerospace manufacturers compete successfully in new overseas markets." The health of California's aerospace industry is heavily tied to exports, yet only about 20 percent of the state's aerospace manufacturers currently export. California can substantially increase its aerospace exports-and jobs-by actively pursuing new exporters and new export markets.
"I take this award as recognition of the importance of aerospace as a target industry for export promotion." said Maurice Kogon, CITD Director. "Unlike traditional programs with little or no follow up, the aerospace Export Training and Enabler Program will nurture, train, guide and assist them through each stage of their export evolution and develop successful exporters."
The California Space Authority is a statewide non-profit corporation focused upon retaining and growing existing space enterprise as well as creating new space enterprise both within California and the nation. Space enterprise includes industry, academia, government and the workforce. CSA is the unified voice of the space enterprise community in California on policy, regulatory and legislative issues affecting its members and stakeholders.
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