The University of Delaware has launched three short courses in its online training series addressing social responsibility and human rights in supply chains and production.

The University of Delaware has launched three new online short courses to help companies integrate social responsibility and human rights throughout their operations.

The courses are titled:

• Human Rights of Workers in Supply Chains;

• Textile and Apparel Product Safety; and

• Impact of Corporate Purchasing Practices on Workers in Supply Chains.

The original course offering in the socially responsible and sustainable business series, Risks of Human Trafficking and Slavery for Supply Chain Professionals, has been well-received since its launch in 2011 and has been adopted by many companies looking for a user-friendly training option for their corporate social responsibility and compliance education.

Building on UD’s leadership in the field, the courses were co-developed by UD fashion and apparel studies professor and department chairperson Marsha Dickson, and Doug Cahn, a corporate responsibility and public policy executive with over 30 years' experience in industry and human rights organizations. 

Co-instructor Huantian Cao, an associate professor of fashion and apparel studies, is internationally known for his work on sustainable textile and apparel design and development.

In addition, Cao and Dickson are co-directors of UD’s Sustainable Apparel Initiative.

"UD has been offering its innovative graduate certificate in socially responsible and sustainable apparel business since 2007, addressing management of labor standards, human rights, environmental stewardship and other issues relevant to global supply chains," says Dickson, who is an international authority on corporate responsibility in supply chains.

Creating the online training courses for corporate and supply chain professionals was a natural extension of that work, added Dickson.

The courses combine real-world case studies and scenarios with research-based knowledge and practices to build a fundamental understanding of the relevant issues.

More than 2,300 supply chain professionals from over 100 different companies and 39 countries have successfully completed the original Risks of Human Trafficking online course. Industries represented include apparel, footwear, pharmaceutical, biotech, manufacturing, food processing, jewelry, retail, packaging, electronics and telecommunications. 

Offered through the Division of Professional and Continuing Studies, the asynchronous short courses take place completely online and can be completed anywhere. Organizational or individual registration options are available, as well as follow-up consultation and customized training. 

More information is available at http://www.udel.edu/srsb or by calling 302-831-7600.

University of Delaware

University of Delaware

The University of Delaware and Cahn Group jointly offer a set of online short courses addressing important socially responsible and sustainable issues.

• Risks of Human Trafficking and Slavery for Supply Chain Professionals
• Human Rights of Workers in Supply Chains
• Textile and Apparel Product Safety
• Impact of Corporate Purchasing Practices on Workers in Supply Chains

The courses are offered 100% online and can be taken anywhere. Students can start anytime. The content is a unique combination of research-based and real-world knowledge which builds a fundamental understanding of important issues.

For companies and organizations, the online short courses are a training tool to address regulatory requirements efficiently and affordably. Access to the course is easy for employees and discounts for multiple employees from an organization are available. Access to customized training or consulting is available as a follow-on.

The University of Delaware also offers an online Graduate Certificate in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business through the Department of Fashion & Apparel Studies. The certificate addresses labor and environmental problems in the global supply chains for the apparel, textile, and footwear industries. The certificate is comprised of nine, one-credit courses that are offered through the Internet.

The graduate certificate provides a foundation of knowledge needed to manage international production and sourcing, design, product development, buying, promotion, sourcing, and production of apparel, textiles, and footwear in ways that are socially responsible and sustainable. The competencies and skills embedded in the courses are based on research with industry leaders and professionals who lead non-governmental organizations and civil society groups with a stake in the global apparel business.

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