Trade Advice Dispensed Locally, Utilized Globally

One of Ventura County’s strongest weapons in the battle to expand international trade is a small program at Oxnard College that attracts as many as 50 students a year and generates no tuition dollars.

The Center for International Trade Development provides consulting, resources, referral and training to help small- and medium-sized businesses learn to conduct business with other countries. The aid comes at little or no cost, thanks to economic development and California/Mexico Trade Assistance grants from the California Community College chancellor’s office.

“The Center for International Trade Development makes a huge impact in Oxnard and in other communities that want to do international business,” said Michael Gregoryk, acting president of Oxnard College. He said the college sees this center as its way of encouraging economic development in the community.

The program’s interim director, Edward Rivera, has experience as a marketing and management consultant to government and private business in the United States, Latin America and Asia.

“I don’t set geographic limits on myself and I try to get businesses to think the same way,” said Rivera, formerly the chief deputy director of the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency.

The center’s goal is to support businesses that want to sell their goods or services internationally. This is not a program that leads to a certificate or degree at the college. There are no set classes to take, no specific timetable for those who want to participate.

Students are treated individually and given free access to those who are familiar with trading internationally, Rivera explained.

“We are not what someone might expect--no cut and dried curriculum. You have to think outside the box if you want to understand what it is that we do here,” Rivera said.

He said he realizes it is difficult for people, even those on campus, to understand that the CITD is a part of the college but distinct from most of its programs.

There are no classes to sign up for during registration. And don’t expect a professor standing at a chalkboard throughout the semester.

The course work involves seminars, trips, casual get-togethers and networking opportunities. The seminars have names such as “NAFTA--A Vehicle for Trade,” “International Trade Resources in Ventura County” and “Connecting, Communicating and Negotiating in Asia.”

Those interested in learning sign up for sessions but pay no tuition. They are called clients rather than students. Their instructors are called consultants, not teachers, and often have expertise in the particular country their audience wants to do business with.

Mexico is the country most are interested in, because of its proximity and economic potential, Rivera said.

The program’s clients are a diverse group. They sell everything from strawberries to computers. They come to Oxnard College from across the state. On average they attend classes for about a year. All clients in the programs are followed up on to ensure that they have received sufficient assistance, he said.

Most clients seeking to learn about international trade have “typical U.S. impatience,” Rivera said. “International trade takes money, time, effort and a total commitment.”

A year ago, Eric Olsen, founder and president of Agbeta Inc., contacted the center to learn how to trade with Mexico. His Carpinteria company provides electrical pasteurization for the agriculture and food industries.

“They’ve guided us to valuable contacts south of the border,” he said.

Because of his association with the trade development program, Olsen learned the importance of having at least one bilingual staff member to smooth the way during negotiations, he said.

“We hired someone bilingual, and that has been very beneficial,” Olsen said.

Political consultant Ted Hilliard of Sacramento also had no international trade experience before CITD but wanted to take his high-tech media work and automated survey technology to other countries.

He came to the center about four months ago and already sees enormous potential for his plans to export his services to Mexico.

“I’ve found a lot of help just in being able to do research to find out if my technology will work in Mexico,” Olsen said.

He has also made valuable contacts. “I don’t know how I would have done it without CITD.”

Rivera, who hopes to attract an additional 50 clients to the center this year, will soon lead a trade mission to Mexico so participants can become acquainted with businesses and customs there.

The center, currently housed in a temporary building on campus, is scheduled to move to a permanent facility for next year.