Apple’s $50 million Supplier Employee Development Fund will expand access to learning opportunities and skills development for people in its supply chain.
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Earlier this morning, Apple announced a $50 million Supplier Employee Development Fund that will expand access to learning opportunities and skills development. The fund also includes new and expanded partnerships with leading advocates, universities and nonprofits to drive Apple’s ongoing work to empower supplier employees and improve awareness and respect. labor rights in all sectors.
As part of the new $50 million commitment and building on Apple’s long history in the field, the company is working alongside supply chain partners to amplify the voice of workers. This includes supporting workers’ rights programs created by the International Labor Organization (ILO) for people in the electronics industry, and the work that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is doing to expand rights trainings and expand its industry-leading responsible workforce recruitment tools. .
Sarah Chandler, senior director of environment and supply chain innovation at Apple“We put people first in everything we do, and we are proud to announce a new commitment to accelerate our progress and bring even more opportunities to people throughout our supply chain. together with advocates and education leaders, we continue to drive new innovations to support people and the planet.”
Amy Pope, IOM Deputy Director General for Management and Reform“At IOM, we understand that supply chain accountability is complex and must be driven by innovation, results and partnerships. Improving people’s lives must be at the heart of its concerns The partnership between IOM and Apple has proven results in Apple’s own supply chain and sets the stage for others in the industry to follow.To bring about real change, we need a global collaboration that involves workers, NGOs, government and industry Apple’s new commitments will have tangible and meaningful benefits for workers around the world.
Apple is also releasing its 16th edition today Report on people and the environment in our supply chainwhich provides a comprehensive account of how Apple and its suppliers are supporting people throughout the company’s supply chain, transitioning to clean energy, and investing in advanced technologies.
New educational and career development opportunities
Apple has offered in-person and virtual training, skill-building and enrichment courses since 2008, giving people in its supply chain the opportunity to learn new technical and leadership skills. With the launch of the Supplier Employee Development Fund, Apple is dramatically expanding the reach of these offerings, with new educational resources for people in its supply chain – and surrounding communities – to develop the skills needed for today’s jobs. today and tomorrow.
Apple’s new educational initiatives will make training and courses available to supplier employees around the world, with programs initially available for individuals in the United States, China, India and Vietnam.
The new training initiatives will make training and courses available to supplier employees around the world, with programs initially available for individuals in the United States, China, India and Vietnam. By 2023, Apple expects more than 100,000 supplier employees to participate in new learning opportunities — from leadership training and technical certifications to courses in coding, robotics and business fundamentals. advanced manufacturing, including green manufacturing.
These new initiatives build on Apple’s long-standing commitment to investing in people in its supply chain and promoting best manufacturing practices around the world. To date, Apple’s supplier employee training programs have reached more than 5 million people.
Expand and scale workers’ rights programs
As part of its Supplier Code of Conduct, Apple requires all suppliers to provide their employees with training on their labor rights. To date, more than 23 million people in Apple’s global supply chain have received essential worker rights training.
In partnership with IOM and ILO, United Nations agencies that advocate for workers’ rights, Apple will expand this work by creating new programs, training and worker feedback mechanisms that help ensure a safe and healthy work environment. respectful of people throughout its supply chain.
By 2023, Apple expects more than 100,000 supplier employees to participate in new learning opportunities, including coding, robotics and advanced manufacturing fundamentals.
As part of its new Supplier Employee Development Fund, Apple is also announcing a variety of new and expanded partnerships with labor rights experts, organizations and UN agencies, including:
- A new partnership with the ILO to advance fundamental labor rights in electronics supply chains.
- A new initiative to scale a world-class digital worker rights training program across Apple’s supply chain.
- Expanding work with IOM to extend the Responsible Recruitment Toolkit – developed by Apple in partnership with IOM – across Apple’s supply chain, soon to be open source for businesses of all sectors.
- Develop communication platforms and publicize existing freelancer hotlines for supplier employees to share feedback or concerns about their workplace.
Learn more about Apple’s commitment to supporting and protecting people and the environment in its supply chain in its 2022 progress report on people and the environment in our supply chain.