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ETI’s Human Rights Essentials Course gives participants a firm foundation in human rights that they can immediately bring back to their own work or business. Gabbi Wass from our training partner Inherently Human breaks down Module Two.
Inherently Human is a boutique consultancy supporting businesses on their human rights strategy, and we are delighted to be ETI’s training partner for their Essentials Course.
The Essentials Course kicks off once again in May. Module One offers learners the fundamentals of human rights in business. Module Two dives a little deeper, uniting the relevant legislation and frameworks with real-world case studies, to offer a practical application of human rights in the workplace and in society.
All are welcome to join Module Two - whether or not you complete Module One.
Who is Module 2 of ETI’s Human Rights Essentials Course for?
Module Two is useful for anyone with an interest in or responsibility for human rights at the intersection of business within their organisation; whether you are just starting out, moving into new a role which manages human rights risks, or you’re just looking to top up existing knowledge and experience. This could include:
Human rights, sustainability and sourcing teams
Lawyers and legal practitioners
Trade union officers
Non-profit and charity sector professionals - especially those focusing on environmental and climate issues, or vulnerable groups such as women, children, people living with disabilities and migrant workers.
What you can expect to learn from module 2
Module Two delves beneath the surface of supply chains to help participants identify and explore salient risks to human rights in their own operations.
“This module explores workers as rightsholders and focuses on power and power differentials in the workplace,” says Module Two trainer Steve Craig.
Participants look at what makes workers vulnerable, for example, gender, poverty, literacy or lack of legal status.
Using international frameworks including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the OECD Guidelines, and the (original and omnibus-proposed) text of the CSDDD as a foundation, Module Two teaches learners how to assess human rights risks and risk factors, and apply risk assessment methodologies in different organisational and supply chain contexts.
Participants will also learn how to map supply chains, and identify key supply chain actors - from workers to trade unions to wider community stakeholders - and how to involve them in meaningful stakeholder engagement. We pull on the STITCH Partnership’s excellent Framework on Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement, and of course on how membership of multistakeholder initiatives like ETI lends itself to excellent opportunities to engage with a wide range of stakeholders.
"The course has given me a foundation on which to build my sustainability and human rights career. I've taken ongoing inspiration from the trainers and drawn from the lessons learned from others in my cohort throughout my career", Previous Attendee.
Case studies which bring human rights to life
The Essentials Course is delivered through a blended learning approach that includes group work, independent research and business examples. There is also space for open and honest discussion.
Case studies and real-life examples are an important part of the training, and participants tell us they find them extremely useful. They are drawn from a wide range of sectors, from garments and agriculture, to the beauty and extractive industries, and reflect the experiences of a range of workers, such as smallholder farmers, migrant workers and those who have been victims of child labour.
“The case studies in Module 2 encompass the lived experience of workers who may be vulnerable or exploited in different contexts,” says Steve. “They offer participants a safe space to learn and understand with empathy.”
Keeping you up to date with changing guidance
Module Two will also address the recently proposed European Commission Omnibus sustainability rules simplification package and the implications of this proposal on key directives, including the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
“Attending and participating in ETI’s Human Rights Essentials course will keep you up to date and ensure you are grounded in an understanding of what your obligations are, what best practice is and what responsible business conduct looks like.” Steve says.
Meet your trainer for module 2: Steve Craig
You’ve heard from him throughout this piece. So let me formally introduce him - Steve Craig is National Development Officer at Unite the Union, and is also the Trade Union Coordinator at the Ethical Trading Initiative.
Steve has lectured for 25 years in trade union studies in further education colleges and universities. He started his working life in the Halewood Ford car factory, paving the way for his involvement in trade unions. Steve has worked for the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education; Nautilus the Maritime Union; and the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT), which was taken over by Unite the Union in 2017.
Look out for the next blog from Inherently Human, which will introduce you to your expert trainer for Module Three: Hilary Murdoch.
Module Two takes place on 3 June 2025. If you would like to enquire about booking one of the final remaining places, please contact: Ali Murrell at training@inherentlyhuman.co.uk or +44 (0)7813 150855.