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The Clear Customs programme prepares customs intermediaries and businesses for the post-Brexit landscape

Having the right people with the right skills in the right roles is more critical now than ever across the economy. A globalised economy and a rapidly changing world of work mean that investing in the upskilling of their teams to enhance and future-proof their business is now a priority for all companies. Brexit also brings change and has implications for the thousands of Irish businesses currently importing or exporting with or through the UK.

Clear Customs

As part of the Irish government’s ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready’ campaign, Skillnet Ireland recently launched the Clear Customs training initiative in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and key industry bodies. The Clear Customs programme has been designed by industry for industry, to prepare customs intermediaries and businesses for the post-Brexit landscape.

Planning for Brexit clearly highlights the importance of capacity-building in the customs intermediary sector and boosting ‘in-house’ customs expertise in Irish businesses that regularly trade with or through the UK.

The number of customs declarations required is estimated to rapidly increase due to Brexit, from 1.6 million annually to an estimated 20 million after Brexit. A new solution was therefore needed to help customs agents, intermediaries and affected Irish businesses develop the capacity to deal with the additional customs requirements.

Essential Customs Skills

The Clear Customs programme is one of a number of complementary government initiatives aimed at supporting and facilitating smooth and efficient trade flows under all Brexit scenarios. The programme will be delivered by the CILT Skillnet (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport), in close collaboration with the Irish Exporters Association and Irish International Freight Association.

In Association with

Clear Customs training is available completely free of charge to customs agents, intermediaries and eligible businesses that trade frequently with or through the UK. Participants can expect to learn the essential skills required to make a compliant customs declaration.

They will also gain an understanding of the wider field of transit procedures and the specific protocols unique to individual sectors. The initiative is being rolled out now across multiple locations for a duration of between five and seven training days, spread over a six-week period.

€6,000 Financial Support

Eligible businesses can also register an expression of interest for a Clear Customs financial support of up to €6,000 per employee who completes the training programme. This payment will be made available to eligible businesses that newly invest in staffing and other costs associated with managing customs compliance.

Skillnet Ireland has a track record in responding quickly to skills supply challenges by nurturing enterprise-led responses to skills gaps. Our deep roots with enterprise allow us to respond to policy and skills challenges in a proactive and agile manner. We engage with companies to understand their skills challenges, strengthen their productivity and develop innovative upskilling solutions for their business.

Clear Customs is a practical example of the continued collaboration between government and industry that supports Irish companies to prepare for new customs challenges.

For more information on Skillnet Ireland and Clear Customs visit skillnetireland.ie

Pictured: Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive Paul Healy (third from left) and Executive Director Tracey Donnery (third from right) pictured with industry representatives at a recent event