Many entrepreneurs would like to establish cooperation and do business with Asian companies. Due to substantial differences, among others regarding culture, few succeed in this respect. Thus, the European Commission has come with the idea to organize and fund courses preparing European firms to conquer Japanese and South Korean market. Managers interested in participation in the nearest training cycle may submit applications by the end of May. Deloitte is supporting the project.
Former editions of the program included about 1,100 managers from 27 member states. So far, the ETP training has been attended by employees of Allianz, AXA, Bayer, France Telecom, Renault and Siemens, as well as many other SME’s. The program is addressed to managerial staff, preparing its members to work and develop business on Japanese and Korean market.
The training includes three modules (one in London, and two in Tokyo or Seoul) over 45 weeks. ETP participants begin with an intensive language course and learning the business culture, social and economic issues of the region. Courses are provided at best universities, for years recognized by the Japanese and Koreans, which is of importance at the moment of first business contacts. During training, study tours are organized to companies, meetings with representatives of Asian firms and chambers of commerce. Networking meetings provide another opportunity to establish business relationships. Opportunity to develop a realistic business plan adjusted to local conditions under supervision of university specialists and with support of guest business representatives is one of the key advantages of the program. The cycle ends with internship in a Japanese or Korean company.
Information regarding ETP, courses offered, recruitment and personal experience of former participants are available at the program website www.euetp.eu. Individuals interested in participation may submit their application documents through the same website.
The program is addressed both to small and large Romanian enterprises of many industries. Requirements regarding companies that employ program candidates:
• export or investment operations carried out or planned in Japan or Korea;
• being an EU resident with the registered office in a member state;
• manufacturing goods or services in the EU;
• headcount of at least 5 people and annual turnover of at least EUR 500,000;
• obligation to fund a portion of participation costs during the program;
• obligation to continue employing the participant during the program.
Minimum requirements regarding participants:
• being a citizen of a member state;
• working in a company applying for program participation;
• very good command of English;
• not having participated in previous ETP editions;
• having graduated from a university (at least B.A. / engineer) and three-year experience on a managerial position or at least two years of university studies and five-year experience on a managerial position.
Program applications may be submitted by 31 May 2013. Participants of the next ETP edition (lasting from November 2013 to November 2014) will be selected in June. The European Commission will fund the employee’s stay in Tokyo or Seoul up to the amount of 26.400 Euro or 24.000 Euro, respectively.
