The objective of the training program is to develop human resources in the field of investment opportunities preparation and marketing in order to better compete in attraction of foreign direct investments.
The training program will educate participants in economic development, spatial organization of multinational enterprise activity, foreign direct investment, strategic decision making, marketing and industrial park development process (from strategizing, planning through infrastructure investment, marketing and aftercare services to ensure that investors stay and expand on the site).
The learning process maximizes use of participatory training techniques that enhance contact with the reality of foreign direct investment in Ukraine and CEE region. The lecturers introduce concepts and then simulate situations and events that can impact (positively or otherwise) industrial site development and marketing. Case studies are the core focus of this training in order to make sure that participants are well prepared for everyday situations in their work as LED/FDI professionals in their cities and regions.
The training program alumni should:
- Understand the dynamics of global investment trends and advantages as well as disadvantages of doing business in Ukraine;
- Be aware of the benefits (and pitfalls) of foreign direct investments for host country;
- Be able to replicate the development and marketing processes learned during the training in their industrial zone;
- Be able to create and implement an effective FDI attraction action plan;
- Be able to conduct negotiations with foreign investors and be responsive to their requests and needs;
- Be able to collaborate and communicate efficiently with the national investment promotion agency;
- Acquire basic presentation skills and be able to "sell" their site;
- Be able to identify and utilize national as well international donors’ support and grant instruments to finance development of their investment opportunities;
- Understand well the importance of FDI for local/regional economic development;
- Be able to initiate and organize improvements of local business climate with participation of existing businesses and public institutions;
- Understand the role of property in investment attraction;
- Be acquainted with technical and economic principles of industrial site development;
- Become familiar with the development and latest trends of economic development and investment attraction in CEE region as well as in advanced western economies.
The training program structure and flow is complementary with the FDI certification process in the municipalities involved; i.e. participants will be consequently implementing knowledge gained at workshops in their professional practice. The training program is composed of four workshops, a study tour to the Czech Republic and/or Slovakia and a final exam.
The workshops will gradually build participants’ professional knowledge and skills necessary for successful investment attraction. At the same time, the tasks (homework) assigned to participants at each workshop will directly support the preparation of municipalities for their certification.
There will be two phases / modes of the consulting support in each cycle: (1) support of the participants’ learning process within the training period and (2) assistance to municipalities in complying with the certification criteria. The consulting support will be arranged individually with the participants and municipalities.
The final exam will consist of a written exam to test knowledge gained during the training, evaluation of the tasks (homework) completed by the participants, and a presentation of an investment opportunity using PowerPoint and questions & answers / dialog between an examinee and the exam committee.
The certification of municipalities will take place six months after the final exam, at the end of each cycle. The certification committee will compare a municipality’s achievement with the set of certification criteria and decide upon the certification.
Participants and municipalities that would (possibly) fail to pass the final exam / certification successfully will be given another term with the next cycle.
Cycle 5 Curriculum (PDF file)
