The Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC) in Nigeria, has won her first international award for service quality, as it is scheduled to receive the IAE (International Arch of Europe) award in the Gold Category, based on client recommendations and due diligence.

The presentation of the award is expected to take place during the 38th yearly International Arch of Europe Quality Convention, scheduled to hold on April 29 and 30, 2012 at the InterContinental Frankfurt Convention Hall of Frankfurt in Germany.

This recognition is based on the criteria of the QC100 Total Quality Management Model, implemented in over 100 countries, and is being sponsored by ImarPress with 26 publications. Companies from 72 countries are expected to gather to receive the International Arch of Europe Award this year.

During the award ceremony, business leaders will present their companies to an international audience and will participate in conferences regarding quality case studies in companies in search of quality and excellence.

According to Business Initiative Directions (BID), the organisers of the award, companies selected for the award are leaders in their areas, their countries or large corporations, which demonstrate excellence within each designated sector, increased market share, improved results, as well as sustainability.

The IAE award of BID is presented in recognition of those companies or organisations in different countries throughout the world that further their reputation and position by implementing and promoting quality culture. The award recognises and encourages the contribution of companies to quality, continuous improvement and customer satisfaction, as well as, improving relations with employees, suppliers and all those associated with the company.

FITC was established in 1981 as a special purpose organisation to provide professional services support in training, consulting and research to the Financial Services Sector and related sectors of the Nigerian economy. It is owned by the Nigerian Bankers’ Committee.

FITC’s mandate has over the years, positioned it as a reference professional services organisation in matters relating to the acquisition, management and development of the human capital to the operators and regulators in the Nigerian Financial System, primarily.

It operates from Abuja and Lagos through three strategic service lines namely FITC Training, FITC Consulting and FITC Research.

In terms of geographical coverage of its services, FITC has within the 30 years of its existence, increasingly become a regional player, offering its core services to both regulators and operators within the West African sub region and growing into the larger Sub-Saharan Region within the next few years.

It has over the years, also nurtured viable alliances and partnerships delivering best in class services to its stakeholders, in line with global standards, yet contextualised to the local environment.

Given that FITC’s mission reads: “To provide best in class service quality and value to our stakeholders,” this award confirms that FITC’s quality service is recognised by its various domestic and international clients.