TRA/MA

Context

The fashion industry is the world’s third-largest manufacturing sector and it is also responsible for 10% of total carbon emissions (World economic forum, 2020). The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that every year some USD 500 billion in value is lost due to clothing that is barely worn, not donated or recycled, that ends up in a landfill, with a huge waste of resources and increase in pollution.
Fashion is also one of five key industries implicated in modern slavery by advocacy organisations with G20 countries importing over $US 127 billion worth of fashion garments identified as at-risk products of modern slavery. In the fashion world it can appear in a variety of forms from harvesting the cotton for a t-shirt, spinning the fibre to yarn, sewing the garment and modelling the final product. The difference between slavery and extremely exploitative labour can be vague and the fashion industry walks a fine line. (Global Slavery Index, 2018 data).
It is important to note that many large fashion brands and companies do not have full control over their supply chains, thus making illegal work practises possible (including sweatshops, trafficking and servitude). Much of the labour and backbone of a clothing collection is contracted out to various players and tracing all the steps from raw material to final product proves quite difficult, thus making exploitation and illegal activities go unnoticed.

Aim of the project 

The partners decided to activate the TRA/MA consortium, to share their expertise in the fashion industry, training development, competences advancement, and work together to offer a new job profile of a professional able to (1) support a fashion house or a brand to set the internal policies to move toward sustainability while making sure that all the actors along the value chain respect the same ‘code of conduct’ and (2) are able to offer data needed to compile the FTindex that is clear, correct and traceable. 

Impact

In the long term, the benefit of this new profile will lead to more skilled workers entering the job market, thereby affecting the quality of the labour market in a positive way; increased employees and employers satisfaction; an overall increased ability to insert circular economy while employing ethical practices along the value chain and industry. 

Results

By participating at the TRA/MA training, managers, designers and other experts working (or interested to work) in the fashion sectors will gain new skills, competences and professionalism to offer better services to fashion industry, thus contributing in making the system more green and ethic. 

Contents of the TRAMA COURSE:

• Understanding Your Supply Chain: Learning about the different stages of a fashion supply chain, including raw materials sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution.
• Supply Chain Innovation: Keep updated with new technologies and trends in supply chain management.
• Introduction to Supply Chain Transparency: Understanding the importance of transparency within the fashion industry, including the benefits for companies, consumers, and the environment.
• Industry best practices and case studies: Study the best practices and case studies of companies that have successfully implemented transparency in their supply chains.
• Implementing Transparency Practices: Developing and implementing transparency practices, including the use of tools such as audits, certifications, and traceability systems.
• Managing Risks and Challenges: Identifying and managing risks and challenges related to supply chain transparency, such as human rights violations and environmental impacts.
• Managing Data and Information: Learning how to collect, analyse, and report on data and information related to supply chain transparency, including sustainability metrics and performance indicators.
• Continuous improvement: Developing a process for continuous improvement in supply chain transparency and sustainability, including setting goals and measuring progress.
• Communicating Transparency: Understanding how to effectively communicate transparency efforts to internal and external stakeholders, including customers, investors, and NGOs.
• Collaboration and Networking: Building relationships and networking with other organizations and industry groups to share knowledge and best practices.

Project’s information 

• Duration 24 months, from 01/04/2022 ato30/03/2024
• ID 2021-1-EL01-KA220-VET-000032985