Apple is launching a supplier workforce development fund in partnership with labor and education organizations and is providing $50 million to empower supplier employees through training.
The new project will be carried out in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other groups that Apple describes as new and expanded partnerships. These include universities, nonprofits and leading legal advocates. Sarah Chandler, senior director of environment and supply chain innovation at Apple, expressed as follows:
We put people first in everything we do and are proud to announce a new commitment that will accelerate our progress and provide even more opportunities for those in our supply chain. Together with human rights activists and leading education experts, we continue to drive new innovations to support people and the planet.
Apple wants to continue investing in people
The $50 million investment includes support for workers' rights programs in the electronics sector and will support the work of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to expand workers' rights training and use its job placement tools. Amy Pope, IOM's Assistant Director-General for Management and Reform, said in a statement:
At IOM, we know that supply chain responsibility is complex and needs to be driven by innovation, results and partnerships. Improving people's lives must be at the heart of this. The IOM-Apple partnership has proven results in Apple's own supply chain and paves the way for others in the industry to follow. To create real change, we need global collaboration between workers, NGOs, governments and industry. Apple's new commitments will have tangible, meaningful benefits for workers around the world."
By 2023, Apple expects more than 100,000 supplier employees to participate in the new training and courses. The courses range from technical certifications and leadership training to coding, robotics and manufacturing. Apple says this new fund continues the company's commitment to investing in people. The company says its previous supplier employee training has reached more than five million people. (Image: Apple)
