Partner Africa signs public-private partnership with ILO to expand SCORE Training in supply chains throughout Africa
In October 2020, the International Labour Organization (ILO) entered a public-private partnership (PPP) with Partner Africa to promote and deliver SCORE Training to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Africa that participate in global supply chains.
7 December 2020
Low levels of productivity and poor working conditions are pervasive throughout global supply chains, especially within smaller enterprises. Since 2009, the ILO SCORE Programme has been delivering services via national partners (employers, government agencies and trade unions) to SME factories that participate in global supply chains. These services help boost enterprise-level productivity as well as address poor working conditions in 11 countries.
As an implementation partner for SCORE Training, Partner Africa will be leading the efforts to market and manage all aspects of the training in Africa, including training and certifying trainers and monitoring training quality.
SCORE Training will improve dialogue and collaboration between workers and management and enhance performance in participating factories. Benefits of SCORE Training include, but are not limited to a reduction in defects, material usage and waste, a reduction in worker turnover and absenteeism, and a reduction in accidents as well as an increase in wages.
By the end of 2022, the partnership will have generated at least five case studies outlining the experience of and lessons from SCORE Training’s performance in participating factories.
SCORE Training focuses on developing cooperative working relations resulting in shared benefits. The SCORE Training modules cover Workplace Cooperation, Quality Management, Clean Production, Human Resource Management, and Occupational Safety and Health, Corporate Social Responsibility, Gender Equality and Productivity Improvement. Most module includes classroom training (many currently online) for managers and workers, followed by on-site consultations with industry experts that help to put the training into action in the workplace.
Partner Africa helps clients understand and manage complex supply chains and navigate global trade responsibly. Their vision is to improve the working conditions and livelihoods of workers and producers and enhance access to local and international markets. Partner Africa aims to be the leading social enterprise in ethical trade across Africa by growing its operations, adding value to clients and maximising development impact.
As an implementation partner for SCORE Training, Partner Africa will be leading the efforts to market and manage all aspects of the training in Africa, including training and certifying trainers and monitoring training quality.
SMEs In International Supply Chains
Africa's current population of more than 1.3 billion people is projected to double in just over 25 years. With SME's accounting for 90 per cent of all businesses in Africa, there is a large and growing need for the services, jobs and economic growth provided by these businesses. Despite their importance to the local economy, SMEs operating in Africa still face many challenges compared to their counterparts in other regions.Improving Productivity & Working Conditions
Through this new partnership, trainers will deliver a variety of training workshops and provide factory consulting services for participating SMEs.SCORE Training will improve dialogue and collaboration between workers and management and enhance performance in participating factories. Benefits of SCORE Training include, but are not limited to a reduction in defects, material usage and waste, a reduction in worker turnover and absenteeism, and a reduction in accidents as well as an increase in wages.
By the end of 2022, the partnership will have generated at least five case studies outlining the experience of and lessons from SCORE Training’s performance in participating factories.
"We are excited to have Partner Africa join the SCORE Programme and look forward to working with them to promote SCORE Training to key international buyers and their suppliers in Africa."
- Michael Elkin, Chief Technical Advisor, SCORE Programme
"The SCORE methodology underpins Partner Africa's mission to improve the working conditions and livelihoods of workers and producers in African supply chains. Supporting suppliers to improve working conditions by increasing their productivity creates a win-win for all stakeholders within the supply chain. Through this partnership with the ILO, we hope that Partner Africa will be able to better deliver against our aim to create more sustainable international chains in Africa which will provide jobs for women, youth, and other vulnerable groups."
- Sara Clancy, Executive Director, Partner Africa
ILO SCORE Training
Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) is a practical training and in-factory counselling programme that improves productivity and working conditions in small and medium enterprises. SCORE Training demonstrates best international practice in the manufacturing and service sectors and helps SMEs to participate in global supply chains.SCORE Training focuses on developing cooperative working relations resulting in shared benefits. The SCORE Training modules cover Workplace Cooperation, Quality Management, Clean Production, Human Resource Management, and Occupational Safety and Health, Corporate Social Responsibility, Gender Equality and Productivity Improvement. Most module includes classroom training (many currently online) for managers and workers, followed by on-site consultations with industry experts that help to put the training into action in the workplace.
Partner Africa
Partner Africa is a leading NGO working across 50 countries in Africa and the Near East to help clients identify, address and report on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in their organisation and supply chains and adopt responsible business practices. Headquartered in Kenya with regional offices in South Africa and London, Partner Africa has a skilled team of over 50 individuals servicing a wide range of global clients. Clients include international brands and retailers (such as ABInBev, Heineken, Twinings, Coca-Cola, Tesco, M&S, Anglo American and Mars), local suppliers, smallholder farmers, governments, NGOs and international trade and finance organisations.Partner Africa helps clients understand and manage complex supply chains and navigate global trade responsibly. Their vision is to improve the working conditions and livelihoods of workers and producers and enhance access to local and international markets. Partner Africa aims to be the leading social enterprise in ethical trade across Africa by growing its operations, adding value to clients and maximising development impact.