The International Cotton Association (ICA) has been forced to suspend “Complete Cotton,” its annual training program, due to a number of industry changes that have resulted in a shortfall in delegate applications.

ICA Directors reluctantly made the decision last week, following a meeting of the Association’s Training Committee.

Kai Hughes, ICA managing director, stated: “This past year has been particularly difficult for firms with many having to make savings. There has also been a large amount of consolidation in the industry, which has seen a decrease in the number of new entrants into the trade. In addition, strict visa restrictions for entry into the UK have had a direct impact on the number of students joining the course. Despite actively marketing the course, take up has been slow and disappointing. This year’s delegate shortfall was considered to be well below the level required to produce a viable course for our students and it would also have had a big financial impact for the ICA. All these factors played a part in our decision - it was a sad decision, but the right one.”

Complete Cotton was scheduled to take place in April in Liverpool, United Kingdom. It is a two-week training program that focuses on all aspects of the cotton trade and, over the years, it has provided an excellent grounding for many of today’s influential players in the cotton world.

According to Hughes, the ICA aims to completely re-think and re-vamp the course in time for next year — rationalizing the syllabus and providing more advanced, in-depth modules on aspects of the trade.