SCORE Programme

ILO Programme increasing productivity in SMEs by up to 50%, enters third phase

On 4 December 2017, the International Labour Organization (ILO), along with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), officially launched Phase III of the Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) Programme.

Press release | 05 December 2017
ILO, SECO and Social Partners officially launch SCORE Phase III.
On 4 December 2017, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN), along with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), officially launched Phase III of the Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) Programme in front of the guests of FTA Switzerland and the Swiss Global Compact’s event, “Sustainable Production and Supply Chains.”

We are excited to step into the next Phase, because the SCORE Programme has practically demonstrated the business case of good working conditions. It means that sustainable supply chains are beneficial for all – the workers, the suppliers, the buyers and the society.

Monica Rubiolo, Head of Trade Promotion, SECO
During Phases I & II, the ILO assisted government agencies, training providers, industry associations and trade unions in emerging economies in Africa, Asia and Latin America to deliver SCORE Training to enterprises, with a view to embed the methodology in national strategies for enterprise development. Now, in Phase III the focus will shift toward developing innovative partnerships with multinationals, lead buyers and brand consortiums, to encourage the integration of SCORE Training in supplier development strategies. To date, pilot programmes with Inditex, Adidas and the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) have been successfully implemented, with positive results. Ultimately, the ILO looks to build the capacity of training providers to ensure SCORE Training can be provided independently.

During the initial two phases, SCORE Training was provided to over 1,400 enterprises in 15 countries, benefiting more than 300,000 employees.

At the conclusion of Phase II, we are able to report enterprise improvements in the range of up to 50% increased productivity, 64% reduction in defective products, 48% less waste, 29% reduction in work related accidents and 22% reduction in absenteeism in enterprises that have participated in one or more modules of SCORE Training.

Michael Elkin, Chief Technical Advisor, ILO SCORE
With a focus on developing cooperative working relations resulting in shared benefits, the five SCORE Training modules cover: Workplace Cooperation, Quality Management, Clean Production, Human Resource Management, and Occupational Safety and Health. Each module includes a two-day classroom training for managers and workers, followed by on-site consultations with industry experts that help to put the training into action in the workplace.

SCORE Training improved the sense of ownership and accomplishment amongst staff, helped to configure corporate resources in a more reasonable manner, and improved the competitiveness, effectiveness and operational management function of the enterprise in a sustainable manner.

Mr. Shang Lunsheng, Manager of Security Department, TBEA Deyang Cable Co., Ltd (ETI member supplier)
Since inception in 2009, the main intervention of the global programme has been to provide support for the implementation of SCORE Training’s practical training and in-factory consulting programme to improve productivity and working conditions in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). SCORE Training demonstrates best international practice in the manufacturing and service sectors and helps SMEs to participate in global supply chains. 

SCORE Training demonstrates the business case for decent work through the simultaneous improvement to workplace conditions and productivity.

For more information on ILO SCORE Training and how your brand or factory can benefit from this new opportunity, go to the ILO website, www.ilo.org /score or contact ILO:

Michael C. Elkin - Chief Technical Adviser
Sustaning Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE)
Small and Medium Enterprises (SME),
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Route des Morillons 4
Switzerland
CH -1211 Geneva 22
Tel: +41 22 799 67 79
Fax +41 22 799 79 78
elkinm@ilo.org