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BIFA to add CDS to online training
[ January 10, 2022 // Chris ]The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is to incorporate elements of the online CDS eLearning course launched in Autumn 2021 into its other online live customs training courses.
The trade association worked with software firm ASM to create a relevant training course to help BIFA members understand and implement the different working methods involved with the new system, which HMRC announced would replace the CHIEF computer in a phased transition ending in April 2023.
Executive director Carl Hobbis, who manages BIFA’s training activities, said that in response to feedback from the over 200 delegates who have taken the course, it had decided to start adding content including useful CHIEF/CDS correlation tables, to other customs-related training courses.
He adds: “Despite having to deliver our entire portfolio of courses online in 2021, it was an excellent year for the trade association’s training programmes. “Over 1,000 learners were trained during our video conferencing sessions and a further 1,000 plus have completed our various eLearning courses.”
BIFA will appoint an additional full-time trainer to its training delivery team in January.
Carl Hobbis added: “Feedback from delegates on the CDS eLearning course, reveals that nearly 60% of learners would prefer face-to-face sessions, but the new variant has put a stop to the reintroduction of the classroom sessions that we had just started to implement, which is disappointing.”
BIFA chief execuitive Robert Keen added: “While dual-running of both systems will continue, we know enough about the new CDS system to be confident in offering a training course to BIFA members and others that provides cost effective and invaluable advice and information. It is designed to help them to prepare for when CDS will serve as the UK’s single customs platform at the end of March 2023.”