ILO pilots Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) training programme in Pakistan

The International Labour and Environmental Standards Application in Pakistan’s SMEs (ILES), a project of ILO, funded by the European Union, piloted SCORE training programme in Pakistan. Ten large textile enterprises and 13 consultants were trained in workplace cooperation, quality management, clean production, human resource management and occupational safety and health.

Press release | Karachi, Pakistan | 01 April 2019
The International Labour and Environmental Standards Application in Pakistan SMEs (ILES) project, funded by the European Union, in its pilot engagement with enterprises in Karachi, Pakistan to improve the productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of these enterprises, initiated Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) training programme in November 2018. In its various trainings, ILES project trained representatives from 10 targeted enterprises and 13 consultants in workplace cooperation, quality management, clean production, human resource management and occupational safety and health. These sessions were conducted by ILO’s international SCORE trainer Mr Jayantha De Silva.

The ILES team approached the pilot phase through a two tiered approach. Initially the project trained consultants in delivery of SCORE methodology. A baseline visit was arranged for them to the targeted enterprises in supervision of the international SCORE trainer. The consultants, separately allocated to each factory unit, were tasked to collect information on predefined indicators using the standard SCORE baseline survey form.

Following initial training of consultants and baseline data collection, the selected workers and representatives of the management from targeted enterprises were convened in a classroom training session. In a three day session, they were presented with real life examples, cost effective ways of improving working conditions and were introduced to some tools and techniques that can help the enterprises increase productivity. In the end of the training, each enterprise was tasked to develop an Enterprise Improvement Plan (EIP). The main idea of this exercise was to chart out a list of improvements that the enterprise would wish to implement in the coming months. An Enterprise Improvement Team (EIT) was also made among the representatives from the targeted enterprises. The main role of this team was to own the changes suggested and ensure that all improvements were effectively implemented.

The ILES team will continue to provide assistance to the targeted enterprises in the coming months through its trained consultants to ensure effective implementation of improvements. Monthly progress reports will also be generated by the consultants using international SCORE formats, which will enable ILO to compare the progress made by the enterprises against its baseline situation.

About SCORE

Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) is an ILO global programme that improves productivity and working conditions in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). It helps enterprises sustain their participation in global supply chains. It encourages them to develop their own solutions that helps them meet increasingly high international standards demanded by various buyers. The training programme offers practical training and in-factory consulting services and is divided into five modules that cover:
  • Workplace cooperation
  • Quality Management
  • Clean Production
  • Human Resource Management
  • Occupational Safety and Health
Since inception, the SCORE programme has delivered in over 1400 SMEs globally, which represents a workforce of over 300,000 workers. According to global reports, SCORE has been able to ensure 50% improvement in productivity in its targeted enterprises and boasts a general satisfaction rate of 88%.