International Business Co-op Students Learn in Peru

Niagara College sent their first students to Peru for co-op work placements in July and August 2009. Building on the five year international development MISTI project with the Instituto del Sur (ISUR) in Arequipa, the International Commerce and Global Development (ICOM) program students acquired an array of hands-on, practical experience while they were engaged in their work terms at INCALPACA. Specializing in the production of high quality alpaca cloths, pullovers, and knitwear, INCALPACA was looking for help in exploring foreign markets. 

A required part of the ICOM program, the purpose of the co-op placement is to :

• learn first-hand how companies in other countries do business.
• gain understanding of the benefits and challenges of going global. 
• test and apply classroom knowledge
• helping companies with identification of market opportunities, market size, assessment of risks and development of marketing strategies. 

The co-op in Peru consists of two parts.  Part One involved travelling to Peru to work with INCALPACA for two months (approximately 350 hours) learning about the company, its products and operations.  Part Two (approximately 100 hours) is being completed here in Canada. 

The internship experience with INCALPACA was overwhelmingly positive for the Niagara College students.  Impressed with the size, organizational structure and the complexity of the INCALPACA operation, the interns indicated that the company was well prepared for their visit and had organized every aspect of their co-op. The company and product line managers made sure that they understood the business model and operations.  The interns felt that the first two weeks spent learning about the company and its operations were helpful and educational because they allowed them to see the various ways in which the different divisions are integrated.  

There was general consensus that the managers who supervised the internships were transparent, encouraged questions and helped the students with day-to-day operations.  Melat Dawit worked in the Outerwear Division headed by Karina Pinto.   Kari Spry worked under the supervision of Enrique Vera, Sales Manager, Woven Accessories & Home Textiles, and Patrick Surgeoner was assigned to the Knitwear Division, working with Paola Cornejo.  All three were guided by the commercial manager, Fernando Pastor,

Because INCALPACA is increasingly focusing on expanding markets internationally, the work that the Canadian interns have undertaken will be instrumental in preparing the company to successfully enter the Canadian market.  The interns conducted both primary and secondary research on the company while on the ground there.

In the coming weeks, the Niagara College students will generate three market research reports and three market plans for the different product lines. During this semester the interns are working with program classmates at Niagara College to complete the market research and market plan reports.  These are expected to be completed by December.

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