Launching Your Own Business: AIFP’s Paid Trader Training Program Guide

Is it your dream to run your own business? AIFP wants to help! Our paid trader training program takes recent college grads and other individuals looking to start a career as a commodity trader and teaches them everything they need to succeed! Here’s how our apprenticeship program will prepare you to perfect your trade and build your book of business.

1. Thorough Training for Business Success

Our paid apprenticeship program takes on-the-job training very seriously. Throughout the 12-month program*, you’ll:

• Learn successful sales strategies.
• Gain Insights into the building materials and lumber industry.
• Acquire Technical Skills such as calculating board footage and assessing risk.

Understanding the different departments at AIFP is crucial for your success, and we make sure you're well-versed in what they do, how they do it, and how you can best utilize them when you start making your sales. As a culmination, the final months involve formulating your business plan, a key preparation for when you officially embark on building your own business.

1. Valuable Feedback from Industry Experts

One standout feature of the AIFP paid trader training program is the wealth of feedback you receive from industry experts. At every step, you'll get constructive commentary from:

• Senior Members of AIFP.
• Recent Training Program Grads.
• Veteran Traders.
• Department Heads.
• Our President, John Vranizan.

Expect feedback on your strengths, weaknesses, sales pitches, industry knowledge, and technical skills. Moreover, you'll receive guidance in refining your business plan into an effective and realistic blueprint for running your own business.

1. Close Mentorship for Career Growth

At AIFP, we cultivate a culture of mentorship, both formally through our trader training program and informally through our company culture. Shadowing experienced traders on the sales floor is part of the training, followed by working more closely within each of our administrative departments. Our company culture encourages team bonding, leading to additional mentorship opportunities. It's a win-win situation, benefitting both trainees and seasoned team members.

1. Fostering Independence in Your Business Journey

While we provide abundant resources during your career training, your success or failure in the training program ultimately depends on you. You must invest time, effort, and discipline to:

• Learn the ropes.
• Make sales.
• Create your own business.

Rest assured, we prepare you thoroughly by granting increasing independence as the program progresses. After completion, while you still have your team to lean on when needed, you'll enjoy the autonomy to steer your ship. Our commission-only pay structure gives you control over your income, unlimited earning potential, performance transparency, and the independence and flexibility to blend your business creativity with AIFP’s business model!

Begin Your Journey with AIFP Today!

Thinking about applying to become a commodity trader at AIFP?Get in touch with us today and find out if you have what it takes to succeed at one of the best places to work in Portland, Oregon! In the meantime, explore the many career resources available on our blog to learn how you can thrive in a commission-based job!