The shortage of local commodity traders with the "right type" of skills is prompting moves to boost training options. Second Minister for Trade and Industry S Iswaran announced two initiatives to help tackle the issue during a ceremony to mark the fifth anniversary of the International Trading Institute at SMU (ITI@SMU). One is an eight-day advanced certificate in trading programme that will give graduate students a basic knowledge of the trading sector, easing their transition into the commodities sector. The pioneer batch of 21 students started the programme last month and will complete it later this month. SMU has also signed a memorandum of understanding to extend some of ITI@SMU's programmes to students at SUTD. The two universities will jointly develop a trading associate programme to commence next year. It will cover the shipping business, trade finance, oil trading and petrochemical trading.